The organization that is sponsoring the National Popular Vote bills has released the results of a poll on whether voters would prefer to keep the electoral college as it is, or switch to a direct popular election. The poll was conducted April 19-20, and includes 797 Connecticut voters. By a 73%-27% margin, voters say they prefer a direct election. A majority of all ethnic groups, both sexes, and all age groups, support direct election. Men prefer a direct election by 64%-36%, whereas women prefer a direct election 81%-19%. By party, Democrats favor a direct election 80%-20%, independents do so 76%-24%, and Republicans also favor a direct election by 59%-41%.

The April 23 issue of the San Francisco Chronicle has a story about confusion between the American Independent Party, and independent voters. The American Independent Party has been ballot-qualified since 1968, yet some Californians still think that if they wish to register as an Independent voter, they should choose the box for “American Independent Party.” The correct way for a California voter to register as an independent is to check the box labeled “Declines to State a Party.”

The publicity was engendered when Mayor Gavin Newsom’s fiancee registered into the American Independent Party. When this was noticed, the Mayor said his fiancee had intended to register as an independent. The American Independent Party is the California affiliate of the Constitution Party. The California Secretary of State says she will redesign the voter registration form to make it more obvious that the American Independent choice is a party. However, the logical solution, to change the designation for actual independents from “Declines to State a Party” to “Independent” cannot be implemented without a change in the election code. The legislature in the past has voted down bills to make this change. Apparently legislators don’t want the choice of “independent” to be listed on the voter registration form, because they believe it is too attractive.

The Constitution Party national convention in Kansas City will actually vote for a presidential nominee on Saturday, April 26, starting at 8 a.m. Nominating speeches will have been made the preceding day. There will probably be a strong vote for Alan Keyes, a strong vote for Chuck Baldwin, and a strong vote for drafting Ron Paul. Thanks to Glenn Brown for the details about the schedule.