One of the unintended consequences of having the conventions so late, and with Texas’ ballot access law requiring candidates to file the necessary paperwork, is that (theoretically) neither McCain nor Obama will be on the Texas ballot this November.
But Bob Barr will.
Seen at Ballot Access News:
Section 192.031 of the Texas election code says that political parties must certify their presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the November ballot no later than 70 days before the general election. It says, “A political party is entitled to have the names of its nominees for president and vice-president placed on the ballot if before 5 p.m. of the 70th day before presidential election day, the party’s state chair signs and delivers to the secretary of state a written certification of the name’s of the party’s nominees for president and vice-president.”
This year, that deadline is August 26. […] At 2:30 pm Texas time, August 27, Kim Kizer of the Texas Secretary of State’s elections division says neither major party’s certification has been received in the Elections Division. The Executive Office of the Secretary of State refers all questions back to the Elections Division.
This year, neither the Democratic Party nor the Republican Party obeyed this law. See this link to the Secretary of State’s web page showing a blank for the Republicans and Democrats for president. It does show Bob Barr on the ballot; scroll down a little bit. If the Republicans have indeed filed, one wonders who they listed for vice-president, and why their filing is missing from the state web page.
I first heard about this from an interview XM130/POTUS08 had with Bob Barr this morning. The host observed that if this sticks, Texas can’t be either red or blue….so, what color do Libertarians use? Barr’s answer: “Gold.”
I’m sure that Ron Paul and his minions would be pleased with that color selection.
Seriously, I expect the Texas legislature to remedy the situation once the hangovers from the conventions have eased and they realize the goof that’s been made.
But it is understandable that folks like me, who are displeased with the games that have been played to solidify the D and R duopoly on power, including stringent ballot access requirements, derive some pleasure and find a little humor in the situation.
