The most difficult statewide petition drives now underway that are likely to succeed this summer are the Green Party petitions in Illinois and Pennsylvania. In Illinois, the Greens have 30,000 signatures. 25,000 signatures are due on June 26. The Constitution Party also may qualify in Illinois, but so far only has about 15,000.

In Pennsylvania, the Greens have hired paid petitioners and now have 35,000 signatures. The deadline is August 1; 67,070 signatures are needed, unless the ballot access lawsuit wins in the 3rd circuit, or unless the legislature lowers the requirement.

John Dashler, independent candidate for Georgia Governor, needs 42,676 signatures by July 11, but he has concluded that he cannot comply. Russ Diamond, independent candidate for Pennsylvania Governor, has not made much headway with his petition. State Senator Best Westlund, independent candidate for Oregon governor, has also not made much headway, but he will hire paid circulators next month; he needs 18,356 signatures by August 29. Alaska Representative Andrew Halcro, independent candidate for Governor, expects to have no trouble collecting 3,128 signatures by August 22. Christy Mihos, independent gubernatorial candidate in Massachusetts, is expected to have no trouble collecting 10,000 signatures by August 1.

A Zogby International poll, taken between June 2-6, asks Americans which party they wish to support for U.S. House this November. The results: Democratic 40%, Republican 29%, anyone else 5%, undecided 26%.

Unfortunately, there will probably be no “other” choice in 40% or so of the districts. Ballot access for minor party and independent candidates for U.S. House is far more difficult than for statewide office.

On May 15, the Louisiana House passed SB 18. It re-establishes closed primaries for congressional elections, instead of the “top-two” system that has been in place since 1978. The bill had already passed the Senate. Since the House amended it, it goes back to the Senate. The House Amendment requires parties to let independent voters vote in their primaries, unless they pass a bylaw excluding them.