The News Gazette reports that the Green Party’s mayoral nominee will be third on the ballot in the Urbana race for mayor. As reported earlier at Green Party Watch, the city clerk had not followed state law in deciding on ballot placement by lottery, instead deciding placement based on when each candidate filed.
The lottery was held today. As a result, the ballot will place the Republican first, the Democrat second, with the Green nominee third. An independent candidate was given the forth slot, and was not included in the lottery.
The political scientist in me says that this may actually be slightly better for the Greens. Of course, it depends a lot on local dynamics. Generally speaking, however, in a 3-way race with a D, R, and G, the G may benefit if some of the more right-leaning voters pick a weak R instead of a strong D, as the new ballot configuration might encourage.
Yeah, it kinda sux, but at least it was fair, and in compliance with the law.
Tough break.