On October 31, 2007, Ralph Nader filed a federal lawsuit against Terry McAuliffe, former chair of the Democratic National committee, for the party’s actions to keep him off the ballot in 2004. The case, filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia (McAuliffe lives in Virginia), has been assigned to Judge James Cacheris, who has been a judge for 36 years. He served 10 years as a state court judge, and then was appointed to the federal bench in 1981.
On November 9, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed SB 662. It eases ballot access for independent candidates for the legislature. Under the new law, such candidates need a petition signed by 5% of the last vote cast, due in June of election years. While this is a very harsh law, it is better than the old law, which required 10%, due in the year before the election.
All states now have procedures for independent candidates to get on the ballot, that are at or below 5% of the number of registered voters. The only exception is New Hampshire. In some state House districts in New Hampshire, the number of signatures required (150 signatures) works out to more than 5% of the number of registered voters. New Hampshire state house districts vary widely in population. Some districts elect 8 or 9 representatives and have 8 or 9 times as many people as certain other districts that only elect one. But, the law irrationally requires 150 signatures, regardless of the size of the district.
The November 11 issue of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (in New York state) features this story on the Working Families Party’s involvement in the County Legislature race, Monroe County 6th district. That district switched from being represented by a Republican, to being represented by a Democrat who was cross-endorsed by the Working Families Party. The WFP polled 9.5% of the vote in the race and furnished a large share of the campaign workers.
Supporters of a presidential primary for Michigan had been hoping the legislature would work on legislation saving the state’s presidential primary, starting on November 13. However, the legislature decided not to come into session that day. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this news.
Supporters of a presidential primary for Michigan had been hoping the legislature would work on legislation saving the state’s presidential primary, starting on November 13. However, the legislature decided not to come into session that day. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this news.
