Free & Equal Announces Campaign to put Independent and Third Party Candidates on the Ballot in 2010

In a press conference this morning from the Illinois State Capital, The Free and Equal Elections Foundation announced an ambitious campaign to help place an Independent and/or Third Party candidate on the ballot in EVERY SINGLE Congressional District for the 2010 mid term elections.

“While engaging in lobbying and litigation for improved ballot access laws as this year goes forward, Free & Equal will be fundraising to issue grants to prospective 2010 candidates to pay for the petitioning necessary to achieve a ballot line,” said Founder and Chairman of the Board Christina Tobin. “We must make sure that people all across America are able to have their voices heard, and that they are able to cast their vote for a candidate of principle, not a just candidate of the two party duopoly.”

“The goal of placing an Independent and/or Third Party candidate on the ballot in every single one of the 435 congressional districts is quite a daunting task, and we have no illusions that it will take extraordinary effort and extraordinary fundraising to make this a reality,” said Executive Director Christopher Thrasher.

Due to 501c4 constraints, Free & Equal will pay for the petitioning to place candidates on the ballot directly, in lieu of donating to a candidate. Free & Equal is committed to ensuring that ALL candidates have a reasonable chance of placing their names on the ballot, including Democrats and Republicans. Free & Equal will not be endorsing candidates, nor will any money be directed to the candidates themselves.

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Third Party Candidates and Activists React to Free & Equal’s 2010 Campaign Announcement

“As a member of the Libertarian party, I applaud any effort to improve ballot access for third parties. The more choices voters have, the more likely we are to see substantial changes in our political system take place, such as implementing the National Initiative for Democracy.”

-Senator Mike Gravel, D-Alaska 1969-1981, 2008 Libertarian Presidential Candidate

“This is an important step forward in opening up the ballot to the voices of candidates who will challenge the iron grip of the two party duopoly that is shredding our democracy.”

-Ralph Nader, consumer advocate, Independent Presidential candidate

“After giving myself and other third party Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates an opportunity to debate on the national stage during the 2008 election, Free and Equal is now undertaking a huge challenge: reforming the archaic ballot access laws in our nation. I applaud their efforts, and I look forward to seeing a record number of Libertarians on the ballot in 2010, and a Libertarian Presidential candidate on the ballot in EVERY state in 2012!”

-Wayne Allyn Root, 2008 Libertarian Vice-Presidential Nominee
Author, “The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts!”

Ballot Access Expert Richard Winger Joins Free & Equal Board of Directors

Richard Winger is the leading advocate for reforming restrictive ballot access laws across the nation. Winger is regarded as a formidable authority on election law, having testified as such in countless court cases and legislative hearings across the country, and having been published in journals ranging from the Journal of Election Law to the Fordham Urban Law Review. .

Free & Equal 2008 Presidential Debate

You need to install or upgrade Flash Player to view this content, install or upgrade by clicking here. // During the 2008 Presidential Election, Free & Equal debuted with a Presidential Debate at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC on October, 23rd, 2008. Constitution Party Candidate Chuck Baldwin, and Independent Candidate Ralph Nader participated [...]

Free & Equal 2008 Vice-Presidential Debate

You need to install or upgrade Flash Player to view this content, install or upgrade by clicking here. // After the success of our Presidential Debate, Free & Equal a Vice-Presidential Debate was Held in Las Vegas, NV on Sunday November 2nd, 2008. Constitution Party Candidate Darrell Castle, Independent Candidate Matt Gonzalez, and Libertarian Candidate [...]