July 2024 Ballot Access News Print Edition

CNN RULES WOULD HAVE BARRED EVERY INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR LAST 112 YEARS

On May 15, CNN announced rules for getting into its June 27 presidential debate:  (1) the candidate must have been at 15% or above in four national polls; and (2) the candidate must certified for the ballot in states with at least 270 electoral votes, by June 20.

The second rule, if it had been in effect over the last 112 years, would have barred every independent presidential candidate, and every presidential nominee of a new party, no matter how much popular support the candidate had enjoyed.

1912:  Theodore Roosevelt, the nominee of the new Progressive Party, was not nominated by his new party until August 5.  Furthermore, the Progressive Party did not even exist until after Roosevelt was defeated at the Republican convention on June 18-22.

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U.S. District Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against a Kansas Campaign Finance Law

On July 24, U.S. District Court Judge  Daniel D. Crabtree, an Obama appointee, granted a Temporary Restraining Order against a Kansas campaign finance law, as applied to a small civic group in Overland Park.  Fresh Vision Op v Skoglund, 5:24cv-04055.  Kansas officials demanded that Fresh Vision register as a political committee after it endorsed a candidate for Mayor.  The group generally doesn’t get involved with campaigns for public office, and instead carries on activities around ideas for civic improvement.  The group sued because it doesn’t want to register as a “Political Committee”.  Reporting requirements are burdensome for political committees, and donors must be identified.

Here is the court order.

Washington State August Primary Ballot Lists 25 Candidates for Governor

Washington holds its non-presidential primary on August 6. Washington uses a top-two system. Here is a list of candidates for the statewide executive offices, including Governor. There are 25 candidates on the ballot running for Governor.

To use the list, use the down arrow on the left to switch from the 2024 general election to the 2024 primary election. Obviously there can not yet be a list of the general election candidates. After switching to the 2024 primary, wait about 8 seconds and the full list will be displayed, with no need to make any other entries. The congressional offices are listed first, followed by Governor.