Friday, January 21, 2005
http://www.ballot-access.org/ Ballot access news reports:
Oklahoma Ballot Access Reform Bill Introduced
Posted @ 7:10 pm
On January 19, Oklahoma Representative Marian Cooksey introduced House Bill 1429, which greatly eases ballot access for minor parties. Current law requires 5% of the last vote cast, which for 2006 is a staggering 73,188 valid signatures. The bill would reduce this to 5,000 signatures, which was the requirement in Oklahoma between 1924 and 1974. The bill also lowers the number of votes needed for a party to remain on the ballot, from 10% for president or governor (whichever was most recent) to 1%.
---
Prompt passage of this bill would change the dynamics in Beaver v Clingman, which was heard by the Supreme Court in January. The Tenth Circuit had found that Oklahoma's ballot access laws impose a severe burden, so the Libertarian Party was able to invite members of other parties to its primary. Other states which have similar primaries, but more reasonable ballot access laws, are concerned that a broad decision could apply to them as well. The Libertarians would probably by happy to give up their win on the issue of primaries, if they had a fair shot at participating in the general elections.
Another case, not yet final, contends that the severe ballot access laws violate the Oklahoma Constitution's free and open elections clause. At a time when US armed forces are risking their lives to try to bring free elections to Iraq, it would not be unreasonable to bring free elections to Oklahoma as well.
I urge support for prompt passage of house bill 1429.
Oklahoma Ballot Access Reform Bill Introduced
Posted @ 7:10 pm
On January 19, Oklahoma Representative Marian Cooksey introduced House Bill 1429, which greatly eases ballot access for minor parties. Current law requires 5% of the last vote cast, which for 2006 is a staggering 73,188 valid signatures. The bill would reduce this to 5,000 signatures, which was the requirement in Oklahoma between 1924 and 1974. The bill also lowers the number of votes needed for a party to remain on the ballot, from 10% for president or governor (whichever was most recent) to 1%.
---
Prompt passage of this bill would change the dynamics in Beaver v Clingman, which was heard by the Supreme Court in January. The Tenth Circuit had found that Oklahoma's ballot access laws impose a severe burden, so the Libertarian Party was able to invite members of other parties to its primary. Other states which have similar primaries, but more reasonable ballot access laws, are concerned that a broad decision could apply to them as well. The Libertarians would probably by happy to give up their win on the issue of primaries, if they had a fair shot at participating in the general elections.
Another case, not yet final, contends that the severe ballot access laws violate the Oklahoma Constitution's free and open elections clause. At a time when US armed forces are risking their lives to try to bring free elections to Iraq, it would not be unreasonable to bring free elections to Oklahoma as well.
I urge support for prompt passage of house bill 1429.
Comments:
Post a Comment
