Last month, the Prohibition Party became ballot-qualified in Florida. This is the first time the party has been ballot-qualified in any state, since it lost its qualified status in New Mexico in 1992. It’s very easy for a party to become qualified in Florida; it merely submits a list of its state officers. The only hurdle that ballot-qualified parties have in Florida is that each nominee must pay a very high filing fee; however there is no fee to run for president.
On March 3, the Nebraska legislature passed LB53, which lets all ex-felons register to vote, two years after they have completed their sentence. Previously they could not register unless they received a pardon.
In Massachusetts, H77 reduces the number of signatures for minor party and independent presidential candidates from 10,000 to 5,000 signatures; it also eases the burden on submitting such petitions. Also in Massachusetts, H119 makes it easier for a party to remain on the ballot. Currently it must poll 3% for a statewide office in every election. The bill would provide that it only needs to fulfil this vote test every other election. If passed, it would restore the Green and Libertarian Parties to the Massachusetts ballot.
In Texas, HB 1721 would let primary voters sign the petition of a new party or independent candidate. Texas is the only state that won’t let primary voters sign a petition for a new party.
On March 1, the voters of Burlington, Vermont passed Instant-Runoff Voting for future mayoral elections in that city, by 62% to 38%. The legislature must approve this charter amendment, but it is very likely that it will do so. Burlington has partisan mayoral elections.
The US Supreme Court will probably provide a clue on March 21, as to whether it is interested in Nader’s Texas appeal. Chances are the Court will either reject Nader’s appeal that day, or will ask Texas to submit a brief. One issue is whether a state can force an independent presidential candidate to collect substantially more signatures than are needed for either an entire new party, or an independent candidate for other statewide office. The other issue is whether a state can force an independent presidential candidate to submit a petition two weeks before a new party petition is due. This is a very strong case.
