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Anti-Electoral College Bills

Posted on May 22, 2006 by Richard WingerMay 22, 2006

So far this year, 5 state legislatures have had bills to set up an inter-state compact of states that will promise to choose presidential electors who will vote for the winner of the national popular vote. The bills in California and Louisiana are the only ones still alive. The California bill, AB 2948, passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 17, with all Democrats voting “yes” and all Republicans voting “no”. It will probably pass the Assembly on May 25.

Similar bills are likely to be introduced in New York this week, and several other states next week.

Connecticut Fails to Ease Clean Elections Discrimination

Posted on May 22, 2006 by Richard WingerMay 22, 2006

The Connecticut legislature adjourned, and failed to pass any of the 5 bills that would have eased the discriminatory aspects of the “Clean Elections” public funding bills. The Connecticut legislature had passed “Clean Elections” in 2005, but basically excluded all candidates except Democrats and Republicans. The funding does not begin until 2008, so it is possible something will be done in the 2007 legislative session. If not, the ACLU will sue on behalf of the Green Party.

At Least 18 Pennsylvania Legislators Lost May 16 Primary

Posted on May 21, 2006 by Richard WingerMay 21, 2006

Pennsylvania held primaries for the Republican and Democratic primaries on May 16. 61 state legislators had an opponent, and 18 state legislators were defeated for re-election. There are still 4 more races too close to call.

Kevin Zeese to be Maryland Green Nominee for US Senate

Posted on May 20, 2006 by Richard WingerMay 20, 2006

Kevin Zeese has been running for the U.S. Senate in Maryland for approximately six months, with the likely or certain endorsement of three different minor parties (Populist, Green and Libertarian). All three of those parties are on the Maryland ballot. However, Maryland law requires him to choose just one of them, and he has recently chosen “Green” for his ballot label. Zeese was an active supporter of Ralph Nader in 2004 and helped to create the Populist Party in Maryland (the Populist Party was formed largely as a vehicle for Nader’s candidacy, since the ballot access requirements are easier for new parties in Maryland than they are for independent candidates). Zeese’s chief issue is opposition to having the U.S. military in Iraq.

US Supreme Court Cert Decision Likely on June 5

Posted on May 20, 2006 by Richard WingerMay 20, 2006

The US Supreme Court has put Lawrence v Blackwell on its conference calendar for June 1, Thursday. Conferences decide whether to hear certain cases. Results of that conference won’t be publicly known until Monday, June 5. Lawrence v Blackwell challenges the March 1 Ohio petition deadline (for office other than president). The 6th circuit upheld it, even though earlier, courts in 13 other states had struck down deadlines in April, May and June (for office other than president).

If the US Supreme Court accepts Lawrence v Blackwell, it will be the first time since 1991 that the Court accepted a ballot access case. That last case was Norman v Reed, an Illinois case won by the Harold Washington Party (an African-American Party that was trying to get on the ballot for partisan offices in Cook County, Illinois). Although that case won in the U.S. Surpreme Court, it only interpreted certain peculiar Illinois laws in a favorable manner, so it hasn’t been much use as a precedent elsewhere.