The South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee tabled SB 122 on January 29. It would have said that if a party fails to poll 2.5% for Governor, it can still remain on the ballot if it pays $750 soon after the gubernatorial election. The vote was 7-1.

However, the same committee seemed open to a potential future bill that might keep a party on the ballot (even though it failed to get 2.5% for Governor) if it has 1,000 or more registered voters. Senator Scott Heidepriem (D-Sioux Falls) is willing to sponsor such a bill if he can get a Republican co-sponsor.

The only parties (besides the Democratic and Republican Parties) that were on the ballot last year were Libertarian and Constitution. Both failed to get 2.5% for Governor. The Libertarians have 1,157 registrants and Constitution has 339.

Chicago holds a non-partisan municipal election in February, with run-offs in April. This year 79 candidates for Chicago city office (mostly alderman) had to fight off challenges to their nominating petitions. The Board of Elections has upheld approximately half the challenges, and some of those candidates are now suing to get back on the ballot. Mayor Richard Daley’s own petitions were challenged, but the challenges to his petitions were defeated.

South Dakota State Senator Frank Kloucek will introduce a bill on January 29 to make it easier for parties to remain qualified in his state. And West Virginia Delegate Barbara Fleischauer has just introduced a bill (number not yet assigned) to move the minor party and independent candidate petition deadline from May to August (the presidential deadline is already in August).