This newspaper story reveals that Kent Thiry, a Colorado businessman who has spent tens of millions of dollars on Colorado initiatives related to election law, is backing HB 23-101. That is the bill which would end the ability of qualified minor parties to nominate candidates, without a difficult petition drive for each minor party nominee. The bill has a hearing on Thursday February 16. The Colorado League of Women Voters is opposing the bill.
Ohio State Senator William DeMora (D-Franklin) has introduced SB 55. It would move the primary for all office (in presidential years) from March to May. Existing law puts the primary for all office in March in presidential years, but in May in non-presidential years. An identical bill in the House, HB 21, is introduced by Representative Daniel Troy (D-Willowick).
If either bill passed, it would improve the filing deadline for non-presidential independent candidates, which is the day before the primary. The deadline in presidential years would move from March to May.
Idaho representative Dustin Manwaring (R-Pocatello) has introduced HB 138, to move the presidential primary from March to May. If enacted, the bill would not have any effect on minor party or independent petition deadlines.
On February 8, former Congressmember Denver Riggleman said he might run for Governor of Virginia in 2025 as an independent.
See this story.
He was elected to Congress in 2018 as a Republican. But in 2020, he was defeated for re-nomination in a Republican convention, after he had officiated at the wedding of a same-sex couple.
Maryland Delegates Sheila Ruth (D-Catonsville) and Samuel Rosenberg (D-Baltimore) have introduced HB 1112, to authorize electronic signatures on petitions. Thanks to Eric Blitz for this news.
