On February 6, the Washington House Government Committee heard HB 1534, which revises Washington state procedures for minor party and independent candidates. The bill was written by the Secretary of State’s office. Ruth Bennett of the Libertarian Party, and Linde Knighton of the Progressive Party, testified that the bill is too onerous. The chairman of the committee, Samuel W. Hunt (D-Olympia), then said that he agrees the bill is too harsh on minor parties, and he suggested that the bill be re-written to take into account the concerns of the minor parties. That work will proceed over the next few weeks.

Tennessee State Senator Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) has asked the legislative counsel’s office to draft a bill, setting up a two-tier system for qualified parties in Tennessee. A two-tier system means that the state recognizes two types of qualified parties. Large qualified parties nominate by primary; small qualified parties nominate by convention. Similar systems are already in place in 18 other states.

New York holds a special election on February 6 to fill the vacant 7th State Senate seat. Only two candidates are on the ballot, although all 5 ballot-qualified parties are in the race. The Democratic and Working Families Parties nominated Craig Johnson. The Republican, Independence and Conservative Parties nominated Maureen O’Connell. The seat is vacant because the incumbent, a Republican, was chosen by the Democratic Governor for a state executive position.