Two Democrat state Senators, who are running for Secretary of State on the promise of free and fair elections, are looking into the new ballot qualification rules that are keeping third parties off the June ballot. Under new election rules established with the state’s Top Two primary, it would take the Green Party of California more than 16 years to raise enough money to pay the filing fee for all of its candidates in the June primary.
State Senator Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, who serves on the State Senate Elections Committee, was the first state legislator to express concerns about those ballot access challenges, and his office says it’s looking into legislative solutions.
“Our democracy works best when everyone participates,” Padilla writes on his campaign website. “As the state’s chief elections officer, the Secretary of State has the opportunity and the responsibility to encourage maximum participation of eligible voters.”
Full Article: Padilla, Yee looking at 3rd party ballot access issues | CalNewsroom.com.