New Jersey is the only state in which only the Democratic and Republican Parties have met the state’s definition of “political party” since before World War II. On October 13, the Green, Libertarian and Conservative Parties of New Jersey filed a lawsuit in state court against New Jersey’s definition of “party”. The suit is called Green Party of NJ v State, superior court, Mercer County. New Jersey defines “party” as a group that polled 10% of all the votes cast for lower house of the state legislature, in the last election. definition is so restrictive, New Jersey is the only state in which only the Democratic and Republican Parties have been qualified parties, in the entire period since World War II. The case is called Green Party of New Jersey v State and is in state court in Trenton.

Last Wednesday, a top adviser to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was indicted for extortion and political kickbacks. This has thrown the already-volatile governor’s race into further indecision.

The Chicago Tribune just released a poll showing support for Blagojevich continuing to erode.

The poll was completed on the day the indictment was announced, so the numbers don’t reflect this. The poll gave Blagojevich 43%, his Republican opponent, Judy Baar Topinka, had 29%, and Green Party candidate Rich Whitney had 9%. The unfavorability rating for both major party candidates registered quite high, and is expected to increase significantly for Blagojevich when voters have a chance to hear about the indictment.

The Tribune has a good article detailing the race and the poll.

Scott Lanier Jameson, the Libertarian Party candidate for US Senator from Texas, will appear in a televised debate with his Democratic and Republican opponents.

The debate will be broadcast by PBS television stations in Texas. It is sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Thank you to Arthur DiBianca for alterting us to this.