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Political parties have First Amendment (and OR Constitutional) rights to assemble and nominate candidates. "Nomination" is a specific legal term which applies only to the official and certified nominated candidates of actual parties. " Endorsement" is an indefinite term meaning approval and not a legal term.  A "group" of activists can endorse, but only political parties can nominate.  It takes thousands of signatures or a very large convention to form a political party in Oregon. Once formed, it must continue to maintain members and poll some votes for its candidates in order to maintain its existence.

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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I am chair of the Independent Party of Oregon, which is Oregon's largest minor party, formed 2 years ago. 

Oregon law has always allowed parties to cross-nominate candidates, and candidates to accept a second (or third) nomination.  A party nomination is a very specific legal act, and is not the same as a mere "endorsement," a word that does not have legal definition in Oregon.  SB 326 will restore the long historical tradition  in Oregon of allowing the cross-nominations to be printed on the ballot, giving voters more information, but it does not create a new system of cross-nominating.

A candidate must accept a party nomination by signing a certificate (either the certificate as a primary election winner or a certificate of nomination by a minor party).   If a major party candidate does not wish to seek a cross-nomination from one of the minor parties, the party is always free to nominate a competing candidate, or not field a candidate.

Cross-nomination offers the minor party the choice of collaborating and building a coalition for a candidate, and not merely running a candidate in opposition.  Cross-nomination offers a candidate a way of potentially reaching different voters or emphasising a platform position advocated by the minor party.

In the 2008 election cycle US Sen Jeff Merkley and Treasurer Ben Westlund sought & received the Independent Party nominations.  We cross-nominated Joel Haugen (R) in the First Congressional District and several state legislative candidates (Rs and Ds).   In other races we fielded a candidate to offer a choice, especially when there was not a real two-party choice offered (as there are many non-competative state districts).

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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