This interesting analysis shows that Barack Obama is currently leading the delegate count for the Democratic presidential nomination, but that if Democrats used “winner-take-all” in all states, Hillary Clinton would be leading in delegates.
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This interesting analysis shows that Barack Obama is currently leading the delegate count for the Democratic presidential nomination, but that if Democrats used “winner-take-all” in all states, Hillary Clinton would be leading in delegates.
Rochester, Minnesota’s daily newspaper, the Post-Bulletin, ran this story on April 7 about the Independence Party’s convention for the First U.S. House District. The story is notable because it shows that former Congressman Tim Penny is still active with the party, and also it shows that Frank MacKay (national chair of the Independence Party) is still working to build the party, although with a focus on 2012, not 2008. Thanks to Bill Van Allen for this story.
Only 30 states have held presidential primaries so far this year (counting the District of Columbia as a state). Twelve more states will be holding presidential primaries for at least one party. Future presidential primary dates are:
April 22: Pennsylvania
May 6: Indiana, North Carolina
May 13: Nebraska, West Virginia
May 20: Kentucky, Oregon
May 27: Idaho
June 1: Puerto Rico (Democrats only)
June 3: New Mexico (Republicans only), Montana, South Dakota
The only minor party presidential primaries to come are the Green and Constitution primaries in Nebraska. The Libertarian and Constitution Parties could have had their own presidential primaries in Idaho and Montana, but they chose not to, since those parties will have nominated before then.
On April 6, Democratic Party National Chair Howard Dean said any resolution of delegates for Florida and Michigan will be after all the presidential primaries have been held.
On April 7, Illinois House Bill 1685 was signed into law. This is the National Popular Vote Plan bill. Illinois is the third state to pass the idea. Governor Rod R. Blagojevich said when he signed it, “This nation is built on the principle ‘for the people, by the people.’ By signing this law, we in Illinois are making it clear that we believe every voter has an equal voice in electing our nation’s leaders.”
The plan has now been approved by Maryland (10 electoral votes), New Jersey (15 votes), and Illinois (21 votes), for a total of 46. The plan goes into effect when it has been approved by states containing 270 electoral votes.