On April 28, the Florida House passed HJR 129, which requires statewide initiatives to get 66.67% of the vote in order to pass. If the Senate also passes it, the voters would vote on the idea in November 2024. All Republicans voted “yes” and all Democrats voted “no.”
All statewide initiatives in Florida are constitutional amendments. There is no Florida procedure for an initiative to merely amend or create a statute. Current law requires them to get 60% in order to pass.
The Montana Free Press has this story about the dramatic defeat of SB 565 on Thursday evening, April 27.
On the evening of April 27, the Montana House defeated SB 565 by a vote of 39-60. This is the bill that increased the petition requirements for newly-qualifying parties, independent presidential candidates, and independent candidates for other office. It also increased the vote test for a party to remain on the ballot. Thanks to Apollo Pazell for this news.
On April 26, the Oklahoma legislature passed SB 375, which moves the non-presidential primary from the last Tuesday in June to the third Tuesday in June. Filing for primary candidates, and also for non-presidential independents, moves a week earlier also. In 2024 the candidate filing deadline will be April 5.
On April 24, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed SB 379, which moves the 2024 primary for all office from April to the second Tuesday in May. The bill only pertains to 2024, not to years beyond that.
