On the evening of May 23, the Reform Praty nominated Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., for President. Although it is not now ballot-qualified in any state, it has completed all the requirements to become a ballot-qualified party in Florida, and will probably soon be recognized there. Thanks to Eric Wong for this news.
On May 23, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called a special session of the legislature, so that it may pass a bill easing the deadline for qualified parties to certify the names of their presidential and vice-presidential nominees. This is the first special legislative session in Ohio since 2004.
It would be rational if the bill moves the deadline permanently, not just for 2024, so that this recurring problem can be solved for future elections.
According to this IndependentPoliticalReport story, the Reform Party of Florida has submitted paperwork to regain its qualified status.
On May 23, Marquette Law School released a poll that includes the presidential race. It lists Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., at 17%, even though the poll also included Jill Stein and Cornel West.
Under the CNN debate criteria, Kennedy needs to have been at or above 15% in at least four polls taken between late March and June 20. The Marquette Poll is his third one to meet the requirement, so now he just needs one more. Here is the link to the poll. See item B2.
On May 22, an Illinois state trial court granted a preliminary injunction against the State Board of Elections, keeping the traditional Illinois “slating” process in effect for the time being. The “slating” process is a method for qualified parties to nominate someone after the primary, assuming the primary didn’t nominate anyone. Collazo v Illiinois State Board of Elections, Sangamon County Circuit Court, 2024-CH-000032.
The case had been filed by some Republican candidates who had been slated by the Republican Party. The lawsuit was necessary because the legislature this month had abolished the procedure and made that change effective immediately.
