On April 17, the Colorado Senate passed SB223, which is identical to bills pending in 4 other states. It would authorize a compact among like-minded states, to change the electoral college system. Cooperating states would promise to appoint electors who would vote for the presidential candidate with the highest popular vote, nationwide. If enough states joined the compact, it would be impossible for anyone ever again to win the presidency who did not poll the most popular votes.
On April 29, the New York Libertarian Party holds its statewide nominating convention in Albany. William Weld, who is seeking the Republican nomination, will also attend the Libertarian convention and ask for its nomination as well. William Weld was once Governor of Massachusetts. Although he is a strong contender for the New York Republican nomination, he has a strong opponent for that Republican nomination. It is likely that the race for the Republican nomination won’t be settled until September. If the Libertarians nominate Weld in April, they face the risk that he would withdraw in September if he doesn’t get the Republican nomination as well.
New York Magazine, April 24 issue, has a feature story, “Introducing the Purple Party”, which makes the case for a new political party in the U.S.
The Independent Green Party of Virginia has submitted almost 16,500 signatures for its candidate for U.S. Senate (10,000 are required), and the party is working on qualifying a candidate for U.S. House in every Virginia district. It is virtually certain that no other minor party or statewide independent candidates will be on the Virginia ballot this year. The petition deadline is June 13.
The Election Law Journal, the nation’s only peer-reviewed journal focusing on election law, has published an article that uses empirical data to show that restrictive ballot access laws are not needed to prevent crowded ballots. The Election Law Journal does not normally provide any means for non-subscribers to read its articles on-line. However, an exception has been made for the current issue. This particular article can be seen on-line.
