Minor parties need autonomy when running a statewide candidate — not out of an obligation to maintain status, but as an opportunity to put forward candidates who share their values and represent their voters.

Because of this, minor political parties have relied on their ability to meet the one half of 1% registration requirement — a status that most minor parties are able to maintain. However, due to the incredible increase in nonaffiliated voters across our state from automatic DMV registration, meeting this threshold is an increased challenge.

Adjusting the threshold requirement from one half to one quarter of 1% would account for the influx in automatically registered voters and ensure that minor parties are not impacted by the subsequent increase in nonaffiliated voters. HB 4044 ensures an equitable and attainable number can be met, as was originally intended.