The three nationally-organized minor parties that always run the most candidates have fewer candidates for US House on the ballot this year than they did in 2004.

The Libertarian Party has 114; in 2004 it had 144.
The Green Party has 45; in 2004 it had 47.
The Constitution Party has 28; in 2004 it had 43.

The Independent Party of Virginia has 3 candidates for U.S. House on the ballot, but the national Green Party is adamant that the Independent Green Party of Virginia is not part of the Green Party.

Some of these totals may change. Please comment if you feel this information is incorrect. A breakdown by state (for 2006) follows:

Libertarian: Alaska 1, Arizona 8, California 24, Colorado 3, Connecticut 1, Florida 1 (on as independent), Illinois 1, Indiana 2, Kentucky 3, Louisiana 5, Michigan 13, Missouri 9, Montana 1, Nevada 2, New Hampshire 1, New Jersey 4, New Mexico 1 (if lawsuit wins), New York 1, Oregon 1, South Carolina 1, South Dakota 1, Texas 25, Utah 3, Virginia 1, Wyoming 1.

Green: Alaska 1, California 7, Colorado 3, Connecticut 2, Delaware 1, Maryland 4, Michigan 8, Minnesota 1, Missouri 4, New York 1, Oregon 1, Pennsylvania 4 (one is being challenged), South Carolina 3, Tennessee 2, Vermont 1 (uncertain), Wisconsin 2.

Constitution: California 2, Colorado 1, Idaho 2, Kentucky 1, Michigan 8, Minnesota 1, Nevada 3, New Jersey 1, Oregon 4, Pennsylvania 1, Texas 1, Utah 3.

A neutral poll released on September 4 for Governor of Illinois shows these results: Democratic 47%, Republican 39%, Green 2%, undecided 12%. This is the first poll to include the Green Party candidate, Richard Whitney.

If Whitney does receive 2% in November, it is reasonable to assume that some of the other statewide Green Party nominees will receive 5%. If one of the statewide Green Party nominees polls 5%, the Green Party will then be qualified in 2008 for automatic ballot status, and a primary, for statewide offices (but not district offices). That would also include a presidential primary.

In 2002, the Libertarian Party was the only minor party on the Illinois ballot, just as this year the Greens are the only one. In 2002, the Libertarians polled 1.65% for Governor, and higher amounts for all the other statewide offices, including 4.23% for Controller.

The last time a minor party polled 5% for a statewide race in Illinois was in 1996, when the Reform Party did it.

If the Greens could poll 5% for Governor this year, then they would be a qualified party in 2008 for all partisan offices, not just statewide offices.

The California legislature passed AB 2948 on August 30. This is the “National Popular Vote Plan”, which would provide for an interstate pact. The pact would go into effect when states containing a majority of the electoral college had passed it. States participating in the pact would agree to appoint presidential electors pledged to the presidential candidate who got the most popular votes nationwide.

Suspense is building, as to whether California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign the bill. He has given no hints so far. He need not decide until September 30.

For anyone who wishes to communicate with the Governor’s office, www.govmail.ca.gov, or fax 916-445-4633, or phone 916-445-2841.