BALLOT ACCESS BILLS
Arizona: Representative Lupe Diaz (R-Benson) has introduced HB 2789. It would let Candidates for State and Local Office, Pay a Filing Fee instead of Submitting a Petition. The Bill applies to Candidates Running in Primaries, and independents. The amount of the filing Fees is Not Specified; the Secretary of State would set the Amounts. If this Bill were to Pass, it would make it easier for independent Candidates for statewide state Office to get on the Ballot. Current Law requires 44,539 Signatures. The Bill would also Help Minor Oarties who have been on the Ballot for at least Four Years. Their Candidates needed Thousands of Signatures to get on a Primary Ballot.
South Carolina: 49 Representatives have introduced HB3643, which Requires Candidates Nominated in a Convention, to Pay Filing Fees. Minor Parties always Nominate by Convention. Current Law says Only Primary Candidates Pay Filing Fees. The bill also switches South Carolina from an Open Primary State to a Closed Primary state. Fortunately, Governor Henry McMaster (R) said on 1/20/2025, that He would probably Veto the Bill if it reaches Him.
BILLS TO ALTER PRIMARIES
Hawaii: State Senator Mike Gabbard (D-Kapolei) has Introduced SB 2480, which would establish a Top-Two Primary. He is the Father of Tulsi Gabbard (R-2nd District).
Indiana: Representatives: (R-J. D. Prescott, 33rd District), (R-Michelle Davis, 58th District), and (R-Elizabeth Rowray, 35th District), have introduced HB 1096, to Change the State from an Open Primary to a Closed Primary State.
New Hampshire: Representative Mike Coker (R-Meredith) has introduced HB 1330. It would Establish an Open Primary, by letting any Registered Voter Decide which Primary Ballot to Choose. Currently, Registered Members of Parties must Choose theirO own Party’s primary Ballot, but Independents can Choose any Primary ballot.
Missouri: Bills have been introduced in each Hhouse to make Missouri a Closed Primary State. They are SB 1329 by Senator Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) and HB 2380 by Representative John Simmons (R-Washington).
Virginia: Delegate Eric Phillips (R-Martinsville) has Introduced HB 1056. It would let Parties Decide whether to Let All Voters Choose its Primary Ballot, or let independents choose its Primary Ballot, or Close its Primary to Only Members. Currently, All Voters are Free to choose any Primary Ballot.
West Virginia: State Senator Eric J. Tarr (R-Putnam) has introduced SB 90. It would Delete the Law that says Parties are Free to Decide for themselves whether to let Independents Vote in their Primary. Tarr may not know that in 1986, the U.S. Supreme Court said in Tashjian v Republican Party of Connecticut, 479 U.S. 208, that Parties have a Right to Invite independents to Vote in their Primaries, Regardless of State Law on that Subject.
ALASKAN INDEPENDENCE PARTY DISSOLVES ITSELF: On 12/7/2025, State Officers of the Alaskan Independence Party Voted to Dissolve the Party. They said the Party's Original Purpose, when it was formed in 1970, was to work for Alaska's Secession from the U.S., but that there is little Support for that idea and the Public dosen't Understand the Party's Original Purpose. Oddiy, it became One of the Most Successful Minor Parties of the Twentieth Century. It Ellected Walter Hickel Govrernor in 1990 and Elected a State Legislator in 1992. In 12/2025, the State Acceptied, and sent Letters to Members asking them if they wanted to Re-Registor. They Only Third Party in the State is the Libertarain Party.
Oklahoma Has A New Party: The Sooner State Party is Petitioning to get on the Ballot. If it Succeeds, it will be the First Qualified Party in State Hiatory that is Not Party of a Nationally Organized Party.
2026 Party Pettitoning: Last Month, the Arkansas Secretary of State Ruled that the Liertarian Party Petitoning is Valid. The Forward Party Finished its New Mwxico Petition. The Center Party is about to File Paperwork to Qualify in Florida. The Libertarian Party is about to Start in New Hampshire and New Jwesey.
GALLUP Poll Shows Independent Voters at All Time High: Gallup has been asking this Question since 1937. Current Results: 45% Independent, 27% Republicsn, and 27% Democratic, with 1% Not Voting or som3 Other Party. This was the Largest Share of Indepdents in the History of the Poll.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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