The Peace & Freedom Party of California presidential primary so far shows these returns: Ralph Nader 2,090; Cynthia McKinney 1,114; Gloria La Riva 1,057; John Crockford 292; Stewart Alexander 282; Brian Moore 279; Stanley Hetz 87.
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The Constitution Party held a presidential primary in one state on February 5, in California. With 96% of the precincts reporting (but many uncounted absentee and provisional ballots), the 3 candidates listed on the ballot have these vote totals: Don Grundmann 13,727; Diane Beall Templin 12,512; Mad Max Riekse 11,384. It appears that a majority of voters who voted in this primary wrote-in someone.
There were 3 Libertarian presidential primaries on February 5.
Although the Arizona Libertarian Party was entitled to a taxpayer-funded primary, it didn’t use it, and instead held its own internet primary. The party’s webpage announces that George Phillies won, and that Wayne Allyn Root placed 2nd, and Barry Hess 3rd. However, so far there are no numbers. See http://azlp.org.
In California, with 96% of the precincts counted (although there are also many uncounted absentee and provisional ballots), the results are: Christine Smith 3,453; Steve Kubby 2,333; Wayne Allyn Root 1,896; Bob Jackson 1,211; Barry Hess 739; George Phillies 689; Michael Jingozian 652; Robert Milnes 599; Daniel Imperato 590; John Finan 584; Dave Hollist 562; Alden Link 442. It appears that write-in candidates outpolled anyone whose name was printed on the ballot. It is probable that Ron Paul won this primary, but since he didn’t file as a declared write-in candidate, no one will ever know for sure. When the official tally is released, we will at least know how many voters voted in this primary.
In Missouri, the vote reported so far is: Uncommitted 963, Wayne Allyn Root 372, Steve Kubby 197, George Phillies 164, Daniel Imperato 140, Michael Jingozian 79.
On election day, February 5, the Arizona Libertarian Party won a court order, directing Maricopa County (the most populous county in the state) to let the party have observers present in the county vote-counting center for the presidential primary.
The law says that all qualified parties may have observers present. The Maricopa County elections office had ruled that since the Libertarian Party wasn’t holding a taxpayer-funded presidential primary on February 5, the party would not be permitted to have observers. The case is Maricopa County Libertarian Party v Purcell, superior court cv 2008-2704. The judge’s order says, “The statute does not limit observation to ‘participating’ political parties. Because the legislature used the language ‘each political party’ without qualification and without any special provisions that apply to Presidential Preference Elections, the Court concludes that the position of the Libertarian Party that it is entitled to have observers present pursuant to the statute is well taken.”
The 5th circuit will hear oral arguments in Mississippi Democratic Party v Barbour on March 6. This is the case in which the Democratic Party seeks to prevent non-members from voting in its primaries.
The party mostly won the case in U.S. District Court last year, except the U.S. District Court surprised everyone and said the Democrats can have their closed primary if they wish, but that the judge would also require that primary voters must show photo I.D. to vote at the polls (something that wasn’t even an issue in this lawsuit). The Democrats will be defending the part of that decision concerning closed primaries, but trying to overcome the part about photo I.D.