The Pennsylvania primary on April 22 is an excellent opportunity for petitioning parties to collect many signatures. The Constitution, Green, Libertarian Parties, and independent Ralph Nader, are all circulating a petition to get on the Pennsylvania ballot. Petitioning at the polls on primary day is one of the best techniques for petitioning, because virtually everyone standing in line to vote, or leaving the polling place, is a registered voter. Pennsylvania this year requires 24,666 valid signatures for statewide petitions. Members of the petitioning parties should consider taking some time off from work, or at least using some evening time after work, to petition next Tuesday.

On April 16, Alabama HB 738 passed the House Constitution and Elections Committee unanimously. It lowers the number of signatures for non-presidential independent candidates from 3% of the last gubernatorial vote, to 1.5%. Unfortunately it doesn’t also improve the minor party petition requirement. Thanks to ThirdPartyWatch for this news.

On April 16, Zogby Polls released results of a presidential general election poll that includes both Ralph Nader and Bob Barr.

The results if Obama is the Democratic nominee: Obama 44, McCain 42, Nader 3, Barr 2, other/undecided 12.

The results if Clinton is the Democratic nominee: McCain 45, Clinton 39, Nader 3, Barr 2, other/undecided 9. See more details here. Thanks to ThirdPartyWatch for this news.