Panel votes to ease ballot access requirements

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama House committee has approved a bill that would make it easier for independent and third party candidates to get on the ballot in Alabama.

The House Constitution and Elections Committee on Wednesday approved a bill on a voice vote that reduces the number of signatures a person must collect to get on the ballot. The panel cut it from 3 percent of the voters in the last governor's race to 1 1/2 percent.

The bill by Rep. Cam Ward, a Republican from Alabaster, now goes to the full House.

Rep. Ken Guin, a Democrat from Carbon Hil l, argued against the bill. He said in some House districts only about 150 signatures would be required to run for the Legislature. He said a candidate could get that many by spending a morning outside a Wal-Mart store.