Washington Senate Bill 6236 passed the legislature on March 1. It moves the major party primary from September to August. It also moves the presidential deadline for minor parties and independent candidates from September to July, and their deadline for other office from July to June. It takes effect in 2007.
On March 1, U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) introduced S2350, to require the states to use non-partisan commissions to redraw U.S. House district lines. The bill is a duplicate of HR2642, introduced in the House last year. The House bill has 45 co-sponsors, but only two co-sponsors are Republicans.
On March 1, Harry Browne, famous author and Libertarian Party presidential nominee in 1996 and 2000, died. He had been in poor health for the last few months, and was age 72.
On March 1, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard arguments in whether Ralph Nader must pay attorneys fees, when challengers sued to keep him off the ballot in Pennsylvania in 2004. It was difficult to predict what the court will do; the questions and comments by the justices were not very revealing. If Nader loses, he will be required to pay $81,000 to the attorneys who sued to keep him off the ballot. In re Nader, no. 17 MAP 2005.
Christy Mihos is leaving the Massachusetts Republican Party, to run as an independent candidate for Governor this year. His is a multi-millionaire with high name recognition.
