A posting on May 21 identified the minor parties that are on the ballot in New Jersey legislative races this year. But that posting failed to mention that the Socialist Workers Party has two candidates on the ballot for the state legislature.
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Back in July 2006, Oregon State Senator Avel Louise Gordly changed her registration from “Democratic” to “Unaffiliated.” Although this is not new news, BAN had not previously noted it or known it. She was last re-elected in 2004, so she has not yet tried to seek re-election as an independent candidate. She was the first African-American female State Senator in Oregon history when she was elected the first time in 1996.
On May 21, the New York Assembly passed S.5755, which moves this year’s primary from September 11 to September 18. The bill had already passed the Senate. Legislators didn’t like the symbolism of holding another primary on September 11. In 2001, the primary had been on September 11, and the attack in New York city sabotaged that day’s primary in the city.
On June 6, a U.S. District Court in Connecticut will hear argument in Green Party of Connecticut v Garfield, 3:06cv-1030. This is the case that challenges the severely discriminatory aspects of Connecticut’s public funding law. All candidates must collect a certain number of $5 contributions, in order to receive public funding. However, candidates who are not nominees of parties that polled 20% in the last election must in addition submit petitions, to qualify.
On May 14, bills were introduced in both houses of the New Jersey legislature for the National Popular Vote Plan for presidential elections. They are S2695 and A4225. Ohio and Michigan are now the only populous states in which National Popular Vote bills have never been introduced.