Someone running for president in 2024 as an independent, or as the nominee of a new party, will need 652,177 valid signatures, if the laws don’t change. That assumes the candidate uses the easier method in each state.

In 2020, the national total was 568,689, which was substantially lower than the 2024 figure. The increase is due partly to the fact that in 2020, because of covid, Illinois, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York reduced the statutory requirements for 2020 only.

Also, since 2020, Arkansas and Iowa have increased the petition requirement.

For purposes of this compilation, the California easier requirement is deemed to be collecting 219,403 signatures on an independent petition, rather than getting an estimated 75,000 registered party members. Both alternatives are very difficult, and a reasonable person could argue about which is more difficult. It would be very desirable if California would reduce the independent presidential petition. That procedure has not been used since 1992.

In the 32 jurisdictions that provide for registration by party, the figures for October 2022 show that the share of voters registered in minor parties and as independents has hit a new high. 31.67% of registered voters in those places are not members of either the Republican or Democratic Party.

In past even-year October tallies, the number of registrants outside the two major parties has been: 2020 30.82%; 2018 30.90%; 2016 30.03%; 2014 29.04%; 2012 28.05%; 2010 26.44%; 2008 25.66%; 2006 25.97%; 2004 25.02%.

The data will be printed in the December 1, 2022 Ballot Access News, by state and by party.

On November 23, the Third Circuit upheld a 1944 New Jersey law that says if a candidate on a primary ballot mentions an individual or a group in his or her ballot label, the candidate must get permission from that individual or group. Mazo v New Jersey Secretary of State, 21-2630. Here is the decision.

New Jersey is the only state that lets primary candidates choose a ballot label (except that California lets all candidates have their occupation on the ballot). The label can be up to six words. But if the label mentions a group, that group must give permission to the candidate. Similarly, if the label mentions an individual, the named individual must give permission.

The decision is by Judge Cheryl Ann Krause, an Obama appointee. It is also signed by Judge Jane Roth, a Bush Sr. appointee; and Judge Patty Shwartz, an Obama appointee. The decision is in conflict with a First Circuit decision, Libertarian Party of New Hampshire v Gardner, 638 F 3d 6 (2011), which says that if a general election candidate wants a ballot label that mentions the name of an unqualified party, he or she may have that label, regardless of the wishes of that political party.