As reported earlier, the Illinois Senate has unanimously passed SB 733, which sets the minor party and independent petition requirements at approximately one-fourth of 1% of the last vote cast. But the Illinois House has unanimously passed HB 632, which sets them at 5% of the last vote cast.

Anyone who lives in Illinois should contact state legislators and point out that 5% would give Illinois the 2nd most stringent requirement in the country, for district and county office petitions. Every other state except Georgia and Alabama has some procedure onto the general election ballot, for US House and state legislature, that is at or below 2% of the last vote cast. Sometimes that procedure is for minor or new parties; sometimes it is for independent candidates. Only Georgia, Alabama and Illinois set all routes onto the November ballot (for district and county office) at a level above 2% of the last vote cast. Alabama is at 3% of the last gubernatorial vote; Georgia is 5% of the number of registered voters.

For coordination with other Illinois activists, contact Jeff Trigg at 309-282-6139.

Hawaii’s legislature had passed SB 1956, the National Popular Vote Plan, in April. But Governor Linda Lingle had vetoed it. Since then, the Senate overrode her veto. On May 3, the Hawaii legislature adjourned, before the House had voted on whether to override the veto. The legislature will return in July to finish considering which vetoes to override. At that time, the House will vote on SB 1956. If the House does vote to override, Hawaii will join Maryland as one of the states that has approved the Compact.

On May 3, the Rhode Island Senate passed S740. It moves the presidential primary from March to February 5.