Looks like the game of primary election musical chairs may have ended, and now Michigan is left standing. Florida appears to be is in the same boat too, but — what timing! — today Florida Senator Bill Nelson, declaring “the system is broken,” proposed a package of national election reforms including regional primaries, the end of the Electoral College, and a proposal to examine secure internet voting.

The Michigan news came across my desk yesterday from the Detroit News (via Time):

DETROIT — A federal judge on Wednesday ruled Michigan’s presidential primary law unconstitutional and blocked the state from giving voter lists from the Jan. 15 election to the state’s major political parties.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union, arguing on behalf of several small political parties, that the law’s provision giving the list of voters’ partisan preference only to the Democratic and Republican parties violated the rights of other parties.

What is wrong with our election system that we can’t count votes of folks who have gone to the polls to cast ballots? Entire states of citizens wanting their voices to be heard? Parties can’t agree with states, and states can’t agree with parties. Who loses? The people. What can we do about it? (more…)

Posted in Election 2008, Election Reform, Florida, Michigan, Primary schedule | Comments Off

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – I hopped off the campaign trail last week. I thought I needed some space, but I soon found myself yearning for the ebb-and-flow of election energy. Drama among the Democrats, rifts in the Republican base, increasing turnout, and polling percentages… for a political junkie it is all too addicting. Today’s candidate contests are being held in Wisconsin, Hawaii (for the Dems), and Washington (again). (more…)

Posted in Absentee ballots, Campaign finance, Early voting, Election 2008, Election administration, Election Day registration, Election Reform, Hawaii, Legislation, Mail-in voting, Polling, Primary schedule, Washington, Wisconsin | 1 Comment »

Of all the wild scenarios spun out for the 2008 presidential campaign, perhaps the least likely was the one we face: a Republican contest that was effectively over the morning after Super Tuesday, and a Democratic cage match that could go on and on and on — all the way to a tumultuous and unpredictable convention in August.

I, for instance, offered an unconventional convention scenario back in July, noting that the uniquely early start (called “front loading”) of the primary process, combined with the compressed schedule, could provide a formula for an extended, pitched battle, with no candidate getting close to a majority after Super Tuesday. But I made it clear that this was more likely to happen on the Republican side, where many plausible candidates were running against one another and none seemed to be getting more than tepid support.

The Democrats, on the other hand, already had a front-running candidate, highly regarded by most Democratic partisans, and an enthusiastic electorate that wanted to pick a nominee and get on with the big battle — ending the Bush era once and for all. (more…)

Posted in Convention, Election 2008, Election Reform, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Primary schedule, Super Delegate, Texas | Comments Off

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA — With the onset of Super Tuesday, the Press has started reporting on Barack Obama’s ability to mobilize new, youth and Independent voters, the other candidates’ advantages among established, older voters, and Hillary Clinton’s advantage among Hispanic and female voters. This week’s issue of TIME Magazine reports that Obama’s campaign tactics are more effective in states with forward-thinking election law. Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada have Same-Day Registration. Florida has early voting, but the DNC has stripped the Sunshine State’s democrats of their delegates, Republicans were able to keep half of theirs. (more…)

Posted in Absentee ballots, California, Colorado, Early voting, Election 2008, Election administration, Election Day registration, Election Reform, Florida, General, Iowa, Legislation, National Holiday, Nevada, New Hampshire, Opinions, Primary schedule, What is Super Tuesday? | Comments Off

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA –- After tonight’s debate at the Kodak Theater, people (and CNN) kept talking about an Obama-Hillary or Hillary-Obama combo ticket. I don’t know if that is the case… either way the notion will be swamping the airwaves until the 5th thanks to Wolf.

More important, is that we are watching history, and because of that, people of all creeds and colors what to be a part of the action. They want to campaign, they want to caucus, they want to vote, they want a voice, and they want the Country to change its course. (more…)

Posted in California, Election 2008, Election Reform, General, Internet Voting, Iowa, Media reform, Nevada, New Hampshire, Opinions, Primary schedule, South Carolina, What is Super Tuesday? | 1 Comment »