Archive for May, 2009

Free & Equal asks: Will the Real Terry McAuliffe Please Stand Up?

Terry McAuliffe’s Record as Former DNC Chairman Contradicts Candidate McAuliffe’s Rhetoric in Virginia’s 2009 Democratic Gubernatorial Primary
In her soon-to-be-released book, Grand Illusion, The Myth of Voter Choice in a Two-Party Tyranny (The New Press 2009), lawyer Theresa Amato charges that on June 23, 2004, Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe promised unspecified “resources” to Ralph [...]

Grand Illusion: The Myth of Voter Choice in a Two-Party Tyranny

New Ballot Access Book Released by Theresa Amato

Free & Equal to Sponsor Book Launch in Chicago
Free & Equal Elections is sponsoring the Chicago launch of Theresa Amato’s new book Grand Illusion: The Myth of Voter Choice in a Two-Party Tyranny, out now on New Press books. The premier will be held at the Union League [...]

Ballot Access News & Notes

Supreme Court Pick Has Good Election Law Record  
President Obama today announced his first pick for the United States Supreme Court. Federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor has been tapped to fill the seat vacated by Justice David Souter. Free & Equal Elections is pleased to note that Judge Sotomayor has a [...]

Oklahoma Ballot Access Update

Time Runs Out for OK Ballot Access Reform Bill
Free & Equal Elections has been working with Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform (OBAR) to pass an improved ballot access law in Oklahoma. The following is a press release from OBAR.
Oklahoma City (May 18, 2009) – A ballot access reform bill which received strong support in [...]

Oklahoma Ballot Access Update

Ballot Access Bill Still Alive: Your Support Needed
The state of Oklahoma has  the most restrictive ballot access laws in the country. It is nearly impossible for a party (other than the Democrats and Republicans of course) to be able  to achieve a ballot line in the state. To make the already appalling state of ballot [...]

West Virginia Ballot Access Bill Signed into Law

Law Reduces Signature Requirements for Independent and Third Party Candidates
Almost a month since the West Virginia Legislature passed an improved ballot access bill, Governor Joe Manchin signed HB 2981 into law on May 8th, lowering the signature requirements to place Independent and Third Party candidates on the ballot.
The new law lowers the petition signature requirement from 2% [...]

Texas Committee Holds Hearing on Ballot Access Bill

This week the Texas State House Elections Committee held a hearing on House Bill 820. The bill would significantly reduce the number of signatures required for Independent and Third Party candidates to be placed on the ballot.
Free & Equal commends State Representative Solomon Ortiz, Jr. for introducing the bill.  The current election law requires signatures [...]