Gov. Rell has signed into law a bill that at least one third/minor party is saying will give them a big boost. The bill, SB 1311, is mostly about the security and integrity of the voting process itself. However, the following section is what interests minor parties. From a Working Families’ Party release:
The new law will allow a minor party to cross-endorse a candidate in any race in which that party is already recognized for another office with an overlapping district in the same election. For example, in 2006, the Connecticut Working Families Party endorsed Chris Murphy for US Congress in the 5th Congressional district; he received nearly 6000 votes on the WFP line. Under the new law, in 2008, the WFP will be allowed to cross-endorse candidates in any of the State House and State Senate races that overlap with the 5th Congressional District, as well as for President.
So basically, if a minor party like the WFP or the Greens endorse (and qualify under the rules as a minor party by petitioning) a candidate for a national office, like Congress, they could then, in the next election for that seat, cross-endorse a lot of candidates farther down the ballot who they feel support their principles. Seems complicated! So why do that? Again, from the release:
Proponents of the cross-endorsement say that voting for a cross-endorsed candidate is a way for voters to support the platform of a minor party without feeling like they are casting a wasted vote for a candidate who can’t win. Further, supporters say the strategy of cross-endorsement gives a minor party more legislative pull, and more institutional investment from organizations who would otherwise be disincline to put resources into building a minor party.
It’s an interesting strategy, and one that actually translates into votes rather than funds or advertising, like the endorsement of an organization, lobbying group or PAC would. This also means that should a minor party qualify for the ballot for some sort of statewide race, like governor or senator, they would then be able to cross-endorse candidates statewide when that seat came up again. The Greens, for example, had candidates for both governor and senator in 2006–and will be able to cross-endorse candidates statewide in 2010. The Working Families Party cross-endorsed candidates in all five congressional districts, so they’ll be able to cross-endorse statewide next year.
Interestingly, Connecticut for Lieberman will be able to do that in 2012! Here’s the relevant section of the law:
Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes or any special act, the nomination of a candidate by a major or minor party under this chapter, for any office shall disqualify such candidate from appearing on the ballot by nominating petition for the same office, unless (1) such petition is circulated by an existing minor party with the same party designation at the time of such nomination, and (2) the minor party is otherwise qualified to nominate candidates on the same ballot. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any candidate from appearing on the ballot as the nominee of two or more major or minor parties for the same office.
I placed in boldface the crucial line. Statewide candidates appear on ballots statewide, in every district, meaning that everyone shares a ballot with them.
The end result of this could be increased visibility for minor parties in upcoming elections–and with the advent of public financing of campaigns, that’s going to be a very good thing indeed.
12 responses so far ↓
I like the concept of cross endorsements. The give minor parties a seat at the table but also serve as a way to build coalitions. I saw this firsthand when I lived in NYC and I like the system, even though it gave us Rudy Giuliani (cross endorsed by the now dead Liberal party). I’ll be interested to see how it plays out in CT.
Off the subject…I need to vent. I apologize and understand that this has nothing to do with CT politics. Unless we are talking about some proposed steroid legislation in CT then I guess it would be germane.
All I have to say is Barry Bonds, A-Rod, David Ortiz & Ken Griffey should be participating in the Home Run Derby. What pirmadonnas these guys are. I’m not a big fan of the Home Run Derby, but these guys are making a ton of money and they can’t take a few swings to please some fans…especially the kids?
Yeah, I’m sure every kid in America couldn’t wait to get home and see if Alex Rios would win the Home Run Derby. BTW in case you didn’t see it he didn’t…he was runner up to Vlad Guerrerro!
Just one amendment for accuracy’s sake. The WFP only cross-endorsed in one congressional race in 2006 — Chris Murphy in the 5th.
But the WFP will, in fact, be qualified to cross-endorsed in every congressional race in 2008, because of this new law. Since the WFP has endorsed candidates in various State House and Senate districts across the state, the WFP will be qualified for all races on the same ballots as those house and senate race. Thus, consequently, every Congressional race.
Just to clarify.
I think the next few years will be an interesting few years.
The WFP is just plain wrong if this is what they are relying on to say they can now nominate candidates up and down a ballot when they have access to one line on the ballot. They will still be required to gain ballot access for each individual office by collecting sufficient signatures (1% of the votes for the seat in the last election) or by obtaining 1% of the vote in the last election. There is no up-and-down the ballot freeby.
What this amendment does is allow minor parties to nominate the same candidate as another party when they don’t have ballot access for that office based on obtaining 1% of the vote in the last election. Previously, they had to run their own candidates first before they could cross-endorse. That first candidate had to petition onto the ballot by collecting signatures equal to the lesser of 7500 voters or 1% of the vote in the last election.
Now, minor parties can skip the step of running their own candidate first if they already have access to a line on the ballot for another office, but they are still required to collect sufficient signatures to gain ballot access for each individual office if they aren’t pre-qualified by 1% of the vote in the last election. GC and the WFP got lost in the bold of “the minor party is otherwise qualified to nominate candidates on the same ballot” and forgot about what preceded it “such petition is circulated by an existing minor party with the same party designation at the time of such nomination.” They still have to petition. It is right there in the text. The difference is now they can petition for a major party candidate and can cross-endorse in election No. 1 instead of waiting until election No. 2.
Here’s what the statutes say:
Section 9-372
New Section Section 9-453t
The underlined text is the addition to the law.
: after reading your comment I understand why you are almost losing your head - that’s really heady stuff you got there —-
Nick,
You haven’t really read our statements, but you have read the bill and for that you deserve a gold star!
Yes, minor parties still have to petition when running for an office they’re not already qualified for (we’ve never suggested otherwise). But they can now cross-endorse without first running a separate candidate. Seems like a pretty small technical change, but an additional 5,000 – 7,000 votes for Joe Courtney or Jim Himes is no small matter.
By the way, we didn’t get “lost in the bold.” Trust me, we’re very, very, very familiar with this language.
Jon Green
www.ct-workingfamilies.org
Mr. Reality,
I apologize if I’m reading you wrong, but it sounds like you’re disparaging Vlad. While I would have liked to have seen those other players as well, Vlad has been consistently in their class, and many years far better. He is a former MVP. You should not cast doubt upon a players abilities, as though he is somehow a second tier star because you’ve never heard of him. I’m reading your comment as sarcastic and disparaging, if you did not intend it that way I apologize.
Sorry, I know off topic but I like Vlad, started liking him when he was on the Expos and arguably the best player in the NL at the time. He may be free swinging, but no matter where you put a ball he can get a hit out of it.
As for the minor parties, I like the fact they are on the ballot. I for one vote that line for State Rep. every year, seeing how I haven’t been able to bring myself to vote for a Jarmoc (for various reasons), nor can I bring myself to vote republican.
I agree on Vlad, the guy’s a five-tool player and one of the finest ballplayers of his day.
I wasn’t disparaging Vlad in any way…I like him. My point was that the others should have been in as well. I have nothing against Alex Rios either, but the four I mentioned are the big names and did not participate.
Hmmmmm. This is very interesting.
Sue Henshaw,
Secretary, CFL Party
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