Green Party Watch

Illinois

In Chicagoland, controversy has arisen regarding the political affiliation of an appointment to the Lake County Board. The man appointed to fill a Democrat’s seat has been accused of (gasp) pulling a Green Party ballot on February 5th. Turns out he pulled a Democratic Party ballot on March 21 though. One sympathetic board member said: “I understand a young man with liberal social leanings and environmental concerns pulling a Green ballot. I’ve been tempted to pull a Green ballot myself.”

Also, the Chicago Tribune has a short brief on the Illinois Green Party meeting this weekend.

Maine

The Bangor Daily News has a piece featuring the Maine Independent Green Party and its growth over the last 25 years. Besides quotes from John Rensenbrink and Jonathan Carter, it puts Gubernatorial candidate Lynn Williams on record saying “The bottom line is, I’m in it to win.” It also notes that another Green, Patrick Quinlan of Gorham, has registered to run for Governor as a Green as well. Will we have a primary?

Washington

Seattle Post Intelligencer covers the lawsuit brought forth in Washington State by the Green Party and others accusing the Secretary of State of compromising ballot secrecy through the use of tracking barcodes on ballots.

Egypt

Black Agenda Report reports that Cynthia McKinney and the Viva Palestina Convoy may be proceeding now from Egypt to Gaza. The convoy, which also includes the UK’s George Galloway and Dead Prez’s M-1, has been tied up in US and Egyptian bureaucracy but may be advancing. The conditions for the Americans involved is apparently to sign papers waiving their rights to protection by their own government. Given how the US Government protected Cynthia McKinney and the others on the last two trips with the Free Gaza ships, that shouldn’t be a stretch to sign. See also Viva Palestina US.