Thanks to Richard Winger of Ballot Access News for this post.
New York has a Ballot Access Party called the Independence Party. As of November 2019, it had 442,992 Active Voters. Many Voters selected this Party during Registration thinking the were selecting to be an Independent Voter, which New York designate as a BLANK.
Bills have been introduced in both Houses of the New York legislature to make it Illegal for a Qualified Party to have the words “Independent” or “Independence” in its Party Name.
In the Assembly, the Bill is Sponsored by State Rep. Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-81st District, Bronx) and is A02600.
In the Senate, it is Sponsored by Senators James Skoufis (D-39th District) and Allesandra Biaggi (D-34th District ) and is S01628.
Richard says if Enacted, would probably Violate the First Amendment.
But these Bills might not be needed. The New York Board of Elections are aware of this problem of Independent/Independence designation and is looking to change the Voter Registration Form by adding, at the Top of the List of Parties, Independent.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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