In the recent discussion on the resignation of Texas Representative Tom Delay, I expressed a frustration with the status quo that preserves the GOP's place on the ballot, no matter what. I had to file, and every other candidate had to file, by January 2 to be on the November ballot, and I believe that the same should be said for Delay's replacement. Heck, we're even a month and a half past the Texas Ethics Commission's deadline for Personal Financial Statements (the biggest barrier to candidates running, in my opinion...about 18 pages of everything related to your financial life). I stated there that I believed, and I still believe, that some things need to be changed. Here are some changes I would propose (if I could wave my magic wand and make it happen):

1. Every general election is allowed two candidates, if two candidates are available. If one of the major parties does not field a candidate (quite possible because of the insane filing fees those parties impose on candidates), an independent candidate may waive the signature requirement for ballot access, if they are the second candidate on the ballot. In the event of two or more independent filings, a lottery will be held to waive the signature requirement for one of them to take the second slot on the ballot, others will be required to obtain the necessary signatures.

2. A "major" party not fielding a candidate for a particular office for more than two elections in that race loses their automatic on the placement and can only regain it through the petitioning process (in the race I am running, the Democrats have not fielded a candidate on the ballot in twelve years).

3. In the event that a party's candidate "drops out" of the race after winning the primary election, the runner up in the primaries shall be selected as the party's nominee.

These are just a few suggestions, from what I've observed.