A bill that would considerably improve ballot access for Independent and Third Party candidates survived a crucial vote earlier this week.

On a 7-6 party line vote, HB 260 passed the House Elections Committee Tuesday.

HB 260 is a far-reaching election reform bill that includes provisions making it easier for a new political party to get on the ballot.

The legislation also lessens the requirements for a party to remain ballot qualified.

Here’s the story from Ballot Access News:

Ohio Ballot Access Bill Advances

The bill will be voted on by the full house sometime next week.

We here at The Free & Equal Elections Foundation fully support the improved ballot access provisions contained in this legislation. Unfortunately, the media tends to ignore the ballot access improvements in the bill, and others like it.

That’s why we fighting every day to bring attention to the onerous restrictions that are placed on independent and third party candidates across the country.

Make a donation today to help Free & Equal improve ballot access in your state!

Donate to the Free & Equal Elections Foundation today, and ensure that you have a real choice on the ballot tomorrow!

An army of petition checkers has descended upon boards of elections across the state, seeking to limit voter choice in the 2010 elections by invalidating signatures collected by candidates.

Operating under a veil of secrecy, the petition checkers at the Chicago Board of Elections were quite standoffish when quizzed recently by an ABC7 reporter. Few were willing to give their names or their employers.

THE STORY FROM ABC7

Here are a few highlights from the story:

“Petition checkers are the secret soldiers of so many political armies. Dozens of people–most of whom would not reveal their names– were using every available computer terminal on three different floors Friday at the Chicago Board of Elections.

When asked what he was looking for, one checker told ABC7 Chicago, “I’d rather not go into the discussion. I’m just following my instructions.”

“Your instruction from whom?” asked ABC7 political reporter Charles Thomas.

“That doesn’t matter,” the man responded.

The man admitted later that he was an employee of Circuit Clerk Dorothy Brown. He said, on his day off, he was looking for unqualified signatures on the nominating petitions of county Board President Todd Stroger, whom Brown is challenging in the 2010 Democratic primary.”

This story raises significant questions about the use of government employees in campaign capacities. Such activity is blatantly illegal.

The actions of petition checkers in Chicago is a perfect example of how those in the power parties seek to eliminate voter choice in elections.

It was a tough day for Independent and Third Party candidates in nationally watched races in New York and New Jersey.

It was also a very tough day for Instant Runoff Voting.

The voters of Pierce County, Washington voted overwhelmingly to repeal Ranked Choice Voting in their municipal elections.

In a blog post, supporters of RCV in Pierce County placed the blame for the defeat squarely on the shoulders of an Elections Department that didn’t want to put forth the effort to make RCV work:

“It appears as if the Election Department’s poor implementation soured the voters on RCV to the point, they did not want to use the system any more. The Elections Department far over spent on systems implementation and blamed RCV for the high expenses. The Elections Department did not look for ways to leverage the investment in RCV software/hardware and thus ended up costing the county more money. The Elections Department did a poor job of educating the voters as to the benefits of RCV in terms of more candidates in November and eliminating the primary. The Elections Department understaffed the polls in 2008 and blamed the long lines at the polls on RCV.”

Another Instant Runoff Voting measure failed in Lowell, Massachusetts, although by a much closer margin.

There was one bright spot on Tuesday: The voters of St. Paul, Minnesota voted to implement Instant Runoff Voting.

And now, of course, opponents of IRV in St. Paul have filed what could be described as a frivolous lawsuit to overturn the will of the voters.

We here at The Free & Equal Elections Foundation are disappointed in the results in Pierce County, Washington and Massachusetts, but we are also happy that the voters of St. Paul recognize an improvement in voting when they see one.  We will be sure to keep you up to date on the status of the St. Paul lawsuit. We’ll also have much more on this past election day next week.

If this election has told us one thing, it is that we need to dig in and work even harder next year! Why not send us a donation so that this time next year, we can be celebrating the successes of Independent and Third Party candidates nationwide?

Donate to the Free & Equal Elections Foundation today, and ensure that you have a real choice on the ballot tomorrow!

Today, Christina Tobin, Founder and Chair of The Free & Equal Elections Foundation has written a letter to the editor of the Seattle Times urging the voters of Pierce County to continue using RCV:

Free and Equal Elections supports election reform efforts throughout the United States. Pierce County with its Ranked Choice Voting system is a leader in the country for opening up its elections to a diversity of candidates. The seven 2008 county level races in Pierce County “with 22 candidates” was a landmark example of open elections.

For example, the County Executive race featured four solid candidates debating the issues providing voters with a more diverse set of choices and a broader range of opinion than any other race in the state of Washington. Kudos to Pierce County!

Mike Lonergan was able to participate effectively in the Executive race despite having to run as a third party candidate. Lonergan was treated with the respect he deserved and received 15% of the first choices while facing three very well funded opponents.

Despite receiving a much higher vote percentage than Ralph Nader did in 2000 running for President, Lonergan was not called a spoiler like Nader was.

Why not?

The ability of voters to list their second and third choices prevented Lonergan from being a spoiler.

Free and Equal Elections salutes Pierce County for its election systems. Incumbent politicians are trying to take Pierce County back to the dark ages by putting charter Amendment 3 on the ballot.

Please reject Amendment 3 as a step backwards. A step away from free and equal elections.

Sincerely,

Christina Tobin

The Free and Equal Elections Foundation

More Information on Ranked Choice Voting in Pierce County, Washington can be found here:

Ranked Choice Voting in Pierce County, Washington

News & Notes from Free & Equal: October 20th, 2009

]]> http://www.freeandequal.org/2009/10/free-equal-chair-writes-in-favor-of-ranked-choice-voting-in-pierce-county-washington/feed/ 1 http://www.freeandequal.org/2009/10/north-carolina-ballot-access-lawsuit-heads-to-state-supreme-court/ http://www.freeandequal.org/2009/10/north-carolina-ballot-access-lawsuit-heads-to-state-supreme-court/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:06:45 +0000 c.thrasher http://www.freeandequal.org/?p=999 On October 20, the North Carolina State Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that the petition requirement for candidates to get on the ballot, 2% of the last gubernatorial vote, does not violate the State Constitution.

This ruling on a lawsuit brought by the Libertarian Party of North Carolina and the North Carolina Green Party means that although the petition requirement was upheld, the case will most likely go to the NC Supreme Court for a final ruling.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation‘s executive director Sean Haugh is a plaintiff in the lawsuit, originally brought when he was the Executive Director of the NC Libertarian Party. Here’s just some of what Sean had to say about the lawsuit and decision:

“The basic theory behind the lawsuit is that there are two sets of election law in NC, one with special benefits for Democrats and Republicans and one with special burdens for everyone else. That is untenable both in light of NC’s equal protection clause, which is stronger than in the US Constitution, as well as the provision that all elections shall be free.”

“While ballot access is the focus, we also included every other unequal aspect of NC election law, including how state and county boards of elections are appointed, who can serve as a precinct official, access to public funding for political parties, and access to public meeting space.”

Because of the split decision in the Court of Appeals, the North Carolina State Supreme Court will be required to hear the case. Sean likes the lawsuit’s chances:

“I take a lot of pride in the first individual plaintiff named in the lawsuit and will take a lot of personal satisfaction when we win.  I am very hopeful of a positive result at the State Supreme Court.”

These kinds of lawsuits are just one way that The Free & Equal Elections Foundation fights to take back our electoral process from the Two-Party Duopoly.

Click Here for more information on the ruling from Richard Winger’s Ballot Access News.

Free & Equal often coordinates with like-minded groups in challenging the current state of our electoral process, and looks for solutions to the problems of our current system.

In Free & Equal’s home state of Illinois, one such solution has come to our attention: The John Bambenek Put-back Amendment.

The “Bambenek Put-Back Amendment” is a comprehensive package of reforms designed to end the backroom dealings of the Illinois General Assembly.

The Bambenek Put-Back Amendment is designed to decentralize the power in the Legislature so that local legislators have the ability to represent their districts instead of representing the interests of Springfield power brokers.  It is also designed to withstand legal challenges that are likely to be filed to keep the amendment from ever reaching the voters.

The amendment primarily would make the Legislature a unicameral (one chamber body) called the Senate made of 59 districts where 3 Senators represent a single district.  It returns to “bullet voting” which Illinois voters had prior to 1980 (when it was repealed began the process of centralization of power).  What this means is that a voter can give all three votes to one candidate or give up to three candidates one vote.  It ensures minority representation in every district.

In addition, the Bambenek Put-Back Amendment also would do the following:

Establishes term limits of four terms, maximum of eight years for every legislator.

It limits legislative leaders (Senate President, minority leader, committee chairs) to a maximum of two terms, or four years.

It reforms redistricting so that legislative maps are drawn on objective criteria instead of the current method where politicians pick their voters to ensure their reelection.

It equalizes ballot access and bans the practice of removing candidates from the ballot for spurious reasons.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation endorses the Bambenek Put-back Amendment, due to the strong provisions for equal ballot access that are included.

“The Bambenek Put-Back Amendment would drastically reduce and streamline the process for Independent and Third Party Candidates to get on the ballot in Illinois,” said Free & Equal Founder and Chair Christina Tobin.

“Not only would the amendment make it easier for candidates to get on the ballot, It would also go far in eliminating the removal of candidates from the ballot for spurious reasons. The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is happy to endorse any initiative that would lessen the burdens placed on Independent and Third Party candidates.”

Other like-minded groups and individuals have also endorsed the Put-Back amendment.

Rob Richie, Executive Director of FairVote:

“FairVote supports electoral systems that provide better representation for voters, systems that accurately reflect the will of the electorate. Changing to cumulative voting for Illinois’ legislature is a very big step in the right direction, as three-member districts would help to ensure that a broad range of constituencies find a voice in the state capitol. The majority has the right to decide, but everybody should have the right to representation.”

FairVote is a national election reform organization that advocates for a constitutionally protected right to vote, universal voter registration, a national popular vote for president, instant runoff voting and proportional representation.

Paul Jacob:

“Illinois desperately needs reform. The Put-back Amendment offers citizens a rare and important opportunity to help the state take a giant step in the right direction.”

Jacob, a national term limits and initiative leader, endorses the measure as an individual. While Citizens in Charge Foundation works to support the initiative process across the country, the group takes no position on specific initiatives dealing with other issues.

The Bambenek Put-Back Amendment Petition is currently being circulated in Illinois. 500,000 signatures are required for the initiative to be placed on the ballot.

Source: CATO Institute

This past Tuesday, Free & Equal Founder and Chair Christina Tobin attended a forum at the CATO Institute in Washington, DC featuring two recently published books on ballot access:

Not Invited to the Party: How the Demopublicans Have Rigged the System and Left Independents Out in the Cold By James Bennett

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

The forum was the first event the CATO Institute has ever held on ballot access restrictions. C-SPAN taped the event for a later broadcast.

John Samples of the CATO institute mentions Christina around minute 28:45 – 29:15.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THESE BOOKS TODAY!

Not Invited to the Party demonstrates how the dominant political parties–the Democrats and Republicans–have co-opted the system to their advantage.

James Bennett examines the history and array of laws, regulations, subsidies and programs that benefit the two major parties and discourage even the possibility of a serious challenge to the Democrat-Republican duopoly.

Theresa Amato, the campaign manager for Ralph Nader’s 2000 & 2004 Presidential runs, presents a scathing indictment of the current state of ballot access in America in her new book.

Grand Illusion recounts the story of the Democratic Party’s attempt to boot Nader out of the 2004 Presidential election, and offers insight into other recent independent and third party campaigns. Amato also lays out specific reform steps that can be taken to improve the state of ballot access in this country.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THESE BOOKS TODAY!

Video Courtesy of RepublicMedia.TV

Thanks to The Liberty Restoration Project and R3publican for helping with the debate.

Check out the Story from The Southern

The Illinois Gubernatorial Debate was held as part of the Midwest Liberty Fest on October 9th, 2009. Free & Equal Founder and Chair Christina Tobin served as the moderator for the debate.

The following SIX candidates participated in the debate:

Adam Andrzejewski
Republican Party Candidate

Dan Proft
Republican Party Candidate

Randall Stufflebeam
Constitution Party Candidate

Bill “Dock” Walls, III
Democratic Party Candidate

Michael White
Independent Candidate

Rich Whitney
Green Party Candidate

ALL 13 candidates who have announced their intentions of running in the race were invited to participate.

Two candidates, Republicans Bill Brady and Frank Edwards, did not reply despite repeated attempts to contact them.

Other candidates expressed interest, but could not accommodate the debate schedule.

This  legislation, nicknamed “The Protect Incumbents Act” specifically targets the Green Party of Illinois.

After the bill was passed, Christina Tobin, Founder and Chair of Free & Equal, wrote to the Governor to ask him to veto the legislation.

Governor Pat Quinn issued an “amendatory veto” on IL HB 723 in August.

Today, the Illinois Legislature will vote on overturning the veto.

In his “amendatory veto,” Governor Quinn asks the legislature to add into the bill a call for a ballot question on next February’s primary ballot:

“Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to allow the people of Illinois to initiate, by petition, a binding referendum to adopt standards of ethical conduct for officials and employees of State government?”

Sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it?

But attaching this language will do nothing to ensure that Illinois voters have a real choice in who they send to Springfield. In fact, HB 723’s election code amendments would still severely limit the already sparse choices Illinois voters have in the voting booth.

If the voters of Illinois want to break free from the corruption that plagues their state, they must first place the blame where it belongs: squarely on the shoulders of the Two-Party duopoly and machine-style politics.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation remains opposed to this corrupt legislation.

Help us send a message to the Two-Party Duopoly in Illinois by contacting the state legislature, and urging them to vote against HB 723!

http://www.ilga.gov/house/

With your help, we can make sure that the “Protect Incumbents Act” is defeated once and for all!

Also included in the forum is Theresa Amato, author of Grand Illusion: The Myth of Voter Choice in a Two Party Tyranny.

Free & Equal Founder and Chair Christina Tobin will be attending the event.

The Event will be streamed live at CATO’s Website

Click Here To Watch

Not Invited to the Party demonstrates how the dominant political parties–the Democrats and Republicans–have co-opted the system to their advantage.

James Bennett examines the history and array of laws, regulations, subsidies and programs that benefit the two major parties and discourage even the possibility of a serious challenge to the Democrat-Republican duopoly.

Theresa Amato, the campaign manager for Ralph Nader’s 2000 & 2004 Presidential runs, presents a scathing indictment of the current state of ballot access in America in her new book.

Grand Illusion recounts the story of the Democratic Party’s attempt to boot Nader out of the 2004 Presidential election, and offers insight into other recent independent and third party campaigns.  Amato also lays out specific reform steps that can be taken to improve the state of ballot access in this country.

Click HERE to Purchase These Books from Free & Equal

The debate will be held as part of the Midwest Liberty Fest. Free & Equal Founder and Chair Christina Tobin will serve as the moderator for the debate.

“This debate will be unique in that ALL the candidates are invited to participate, not just the Democrats and Republicans.” said Tobin. “We are excited that voters all across Illinois will have the opportunity to hear the candidates speak in person, or online via web stream.”

The debate will include members of the Democratic and Republican parties as well as the Constitution and Green Parties, and one Independent.

As of Wednesday October 7th, the following SIX candidates have confirmed:

Adam Andrzejewski
Republican Party Candidate

Dan Proft
Republican Party Candidate

Randall Stufflebeam
Constitution Party Candidate

Bill “Dock” Walls, III
Democratic Party Candidate

Michael White
Independent Candidate

Rich Whitney
Green Party Candidate

ALL 13 candidates who have announced their intentions of running in the race are invited to participate.

Two candidates, Republicans Bill Brady and Frank Edwards, did not reply despite repeated attempts to contact them.

Other candidates expressed interested, but could not accommodate the debate schedule.

“Free & Equal is committed to giving all candidates a forum, regardless of political ideology or partisan affiliation,” said Tobin. “It is imperative that the voters have a chance to hear all the candidates, not just those who may appear in the headlines regularly.”

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is a non partisan, non-profit 501 (c)4 public policy advocacy organization dedicated to eliminating restrictive ballot access laws that target Independent and Third-Party Candidates.

Free & Equal is committed to reforming restrictive ballot access laws across the nation, so that all candidates have a chance to be heard, regardless of political affiliation.

During the 2008 election, Free & Equal held an independent Presidential Debate in Washington, DC. The Free & Equal debate was the ONLY Presidential debate featuring Independent and Third-Party candidates held during the 2008 election to be broadcast to a national audience. The debate was broadcast Live by C-SPAN.

#####

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation will hold a Gubernatorial Debate for 2010 Candidates in Du Quoin, Il this Friday, October 9th, 2009 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

The debate will be held as part of the Midwest Freedom Fest. The debate will take place from 6PM-8PM. Free & Equal Founder and Chair Christina Tobin will serve as the moderator for the debate.

“This debate will be unique in that ALL the candidates are invited to participate, not just the Democrats and Republicans.” said Tobin.

The debate will include members of the Democratic and Republican parties as well as Third-Party candidates and Independents.

As of Tuesday October 6th, the following SIX candidates have confirmed:

Adam Andrzejewski
Republican Party Candidate

Dan Proft
Republican Party Candidate

Randall Stufflebeam
Constitution Party Candidate

Bill “Dock” Walls, III
Democratic Party Candidate

Michael White
Independent Candidate

Rich Whitney
Green Party Candidate

ALL 13 candidates who have announced their intentions of running in the race are invited to participate.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is committed to ensuring that the ballot choices of the voters of Illinois are not limited to members of only two parties.

“Free & Equal is committed to giving all candidates a forum, regardless of political ideology or partisan affiliation,” said Tobin. “It is imperative that the voters have a chance to hear all the candidates, not just those who may appear in the headlines regularly.”

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is a non partisan, non-profit 501 (c)4 public policy advocacy organization dedicated to eliminating restrictive ballot access laws that target Independent and Third-Party Candidates.

Free & Equal is committed to reforming restrictive ballot access laws across the nation, so that all candidates have a chance to be heard, regardless of political affiliation.

During the 2008 election, Free & Equal held an independent Presidential Debate in Washington, DC. The Free & Equal debate was the ONLY Presidential debate featuring Independent and Third-Party candidates held during the 2008 election to be broadcast to a national audience. The debate was broadcast Live by C-SPAN.

#####

On Wednesday October 7th, 2009 a hearing will take place at 10:00AM at the Board of Elections to determine if the voters of Suffolk County will have the chance to vote for more than one candidate in the upcoming local elections.

Steve Kosin, a Libertarian candidate for Sheriff in Suffolk County, New York previously filed a lawsuit against the Board of Elections, asking the courts to reinstate his name to the November ballot.

Suffolk Supreme Court Judge Emily Pines ruled late last week against a motion to dismiss the case from respondent Rosemary Marchlowska. Pines ruled that a line-by-line review will take place to validate the signatures on the candidates’ petitions at the hearing on Wednesday.

Marchlowska, who filed the challenge against the Libertarian Party candidate’s petition, is a Democratic Party operative and state committee member.

The Board of Elections in Suffolk County had previously ruled that the Libertarian Party candidates for three county offices would not be on the ballot. The Board of Elections, which is dominated by partisan Democrats and Republicans, ruled in favor of an individual challenger who sought to invalidate the candidate’s petitions.

New York state petition law places tremendous burdens on Independent and Third Party candidates. The stringent requirements for nominating petitions stifle competition, and encourage bureaucratic interference. In the past, candidates have even been kicked off the ballot for little more than clerical errors.

Less than a month remains before the November election. No matter the court’s ruling, the candidates will not appear on Absentee Ballots.

The Board of Elections of Suffolk County also chose to operate in near total secrecy.

The BOE refused to answer candidates’ questions, and only provided the information they were legally required to after a Freedom of Information Act request was filed.

If Kosin is ruled off the ballot, the actions taken by the Board of Elections mean that voters will only see one candidate on the ballot in the races for District Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer.

The local Democrat and Republican parties have cross-endorsed one candidate for each race.

“The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is pleased that the question of candidate eligibility will be decided by the number of signatures on a petition, not by the whims of a partisan Board of Elections,” said Founder and Chair Christina Tobin. “It is a shame, however, that it takes a court order for Independent and Third Party candidates to get a fair hearing in New York state.”

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation remains committed to eliminating the onerous and archaic petitioning requirements that limit the choices of the voters of New York state.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is a non partisan, non-profit 501 (c)4 public policy advocacy organization dedicated to eliminating restrictive ballot access laws that target Independent and Third-Party Candidates.

Free & Equal will challenge these laws, through lobbying of state legislators, court challenges, and initiatives. Free & Equal does not endorse any candidates for office.

#####

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation will hold a Gubernatorial Debate for 2010 Candidates in Du Quoin, Il on October 9th, 2009.

ALL 14 candidates who have announced their intentions of running in the race are invited to participate.

Free & Equal Founder and Chair Christina Tobin today updated members of the press on the debate’s latest developments:

“The debate will begin at 6PM and will continue until 8PM. I will serve as the moderator for the debate. At this time, three candidates are confirmed, and we are in discussions with many others. This debate will be unique in that ALL the candidates, including Independent and Third party candidates are invited to participate. We are confident that the debate will be well-attended, both by the candidates themselves, and the voting public.”

The event will be sponsored by Free & Equal, and will take place as part of the Midwest Liberty Fest in Du Quoin. The debate will include members of the Democratic and Republican parties as well as Third-Party candidates and Independents.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is committed to ensuring that the ballot choices of the voters of Illinois are not limited to members of only two parties.

“Free & Equal is committed to giving all candidates a forum, regardless of political ideology or partisan affiliation,” said Tobin. “It is imperative that the voters have a chance to hear all the candidates, not just those who may appear in the headlines regularly.”

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is a non partisan, non-profit  501 (c)4 public policy advocacy organization dedicated to eliminating restrictive ballot access laws that target Independent and Third-Party Candidates.

Free & Equal is committed to reforming restrictive ballot access laws across the nation, so that all candidates have a chance to be heard, regardless of political affiliation.

During the 2008 election, Free & Equal held an independent Presidential Debate in Washington, DC. The Free & Equal debate was the ONLY Presidential debate featuring Independent and Third-Party candidates held during the 2008 election to be broadcast to a national audience. The debate was broadcast Live by C-SPAN.

The Democrat and Republican parties have maintained their iron grip on power in the state, and corruption, from the townships all the way to the state house, is a way of life.

New Jersey will hold a gubernatorial election this coming November. In addition to the two-party duopoly candidates, ten names will appear on the ballot for governor.

One, Independent Christopher Dagget, has stunned the opposition by polling double digits in the race.

Now, Ballot Access News is reporting that Dagget and Libertarian Candidate Kenneth Kaplan have filed a joint lawsuit against the state, challenging the way candidates are placed on the ballot.

In New Jersey, almost all of the counties print party column headings in large print, that say “Democratic”, “Republican”, and “Nomination by Petition.” All the non-major party candidates are squeezed into the “Nomination by Petition” column. For the 2009 gubernatorial election, that means that TEN names will be squeezed together in a column.

The lawsuit filed by Dagget and Kaplan requests that the Democrat and Republican parties not automatically have the top columns on the ballot, and asks county clerks to draw lots to determine the ballot order. Unfortunately, a state court judge has already indicated that the lawsuit will not be decided in time for the election.

In addition to Democrat Incumbent Jon Corzine and Republican nominee Chris Christie, the following candidates will appear on the ballot for Governor in New Jersey:

Jason Cullen, of Riverdale – (People Not Politics)
Chris Dagget of Bernards – (Independent)
Kenneth Kaplan -(Libertarian)
Joshua Leinsdorf of Princeton – (Fair Election Party)
Alvin Lindsay, Jr. of Sewell – (Lindsay for Governor)
David R. Meiswinkle of East Windsor – (Middle Class Empowerment)
Greg Pason -(Socialist Party USA)
Kostas Petris of Trenton – (For The People)
Gary T. Steele of Kinnelon – (Leadership, Independence, Vision)
Gary Stein of Mullica -(Stien For Governor)

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation supports the efforts of candidates to ensure that the New Jersey ballot is redesigned to not discriminate against Independent and Third Party candidates.

Free & Equal does not endorse any candidates for office.

September 15th, 2009- Steve Kosin, a Libertarian candidate for Sheriff in Suffolk County, New York has filed suit against the Board of Elections, asking the courts to reinstate his name to the November ballot.

The Board of Elections in Suffolk County had previously ruled that the Libertarian Party candidates for three county offices would not be on the ballot. The Board of Elections, which is dominated by partisan Democrats and Republicans, ruled in favor of an individual challenger who sought to invalidate the candidate’s petitions.

Motions will be entertained in the courtroom of Judge Emily Pines in Suffolk Supreme Court on September 21st. Judge Pines is the sixth judge to be asked to take the case. Four judges asked to be recused, and a fifth recused himself at the request of the petition challenger.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation cannot help but wonder if the partisan status of elected New York judges influenced the decision of these judges not to take the case.

With Judge Pines presiding over an ongoing trial, the hearing will not take place until October 7th at the earlier.

This means that the candidates will not know if they are on the ballot until at least three weeks before the election.

In addition, no matter the court’s ruling, the candidates will not appear on Absentee Ballots.

“Free & Equal stands with the Suffolk County candidates against the corruption of the two-party duopoly in New York,” said Free & Equal Founder Christina Tobin. “We sincerely hope the courts will reverse the decision made by the Board of Elections, and ensure that the voters in Suffolk County have a choice on their ballots.”

New York state petition law places tremendous burdens on Independent and Third Party candidates. The stringent requirements for nominating petitions stifle competition, and encourage bureaucratic interference. In the past, candidates have even been kicked off the ballot for little more than clerical errors.

Any individual voter can challenge the validity of a nominating petition in New York state. In Suffolk County on Long Island, the challenges came from Democratic Party operative and state committee member Rosemary Marchlowska.

The Board of Elections of Suffolk County also chose to operate in near total secrecy.

The BOE refused to answer candidates’ questions, and only provided the information they were legally required to after a Freedom of Information Act request was filed.

If the courts refuse to intervene, the actions taken by the Board of Elections means that voters will only see one candidate on the ballot in the races for District Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer. The local Democrat and Republican parties have cross-endorsed one candidate for each race.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation remains committed to eliminating the onerous and archaic petitioning requirements that limit the choices of the voters of New York state.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is a non partisan, non-profit  501 (c)4 public policy advocacy organization dedicated to eliminating restrictive ballot access laws that target Independent and Third-Party Candidates.

Free & Equal will challenge these laws, through lobbying of state legislators, court challenges, and initiatives. Free & Equal does not endorse any candidates for office.

September 9th, 2009- The Board of Elections in Suffolk County New York has ruled that the Libertarian Party candidates for three county offices will not be on the ballot come November.

This action by the Board of Elections means that voters will only see one candidate on the ballot in the races for District Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer. The local Democrat and Republican parties have cross-endorsed one candidate for each race.

“It is absolutely appalling that the voters in Suffolk County will have no choice on their ballot for these races,” said Free & Equal Founder Christina Tobin. “The Democrat and Republican commissioners at the Board of Elections have determined that they alone have the ability to choose officers in Suffolk County, not the voters.”

New York state petition law places tremendous burdens on Independent and Third Party candidates. The stringent requirements for nominating petitions stifle competition, and encourage bureaucratic interference. In the past, candidates have even been kicked off the ballot for little more than clerical errors.

Any individual voter can challenge the validity of a nominating petition in New York state. In Suffolk County on Long Island, the challenges came from Democratic Party operative and state committee member Rosemary Marchlowska.

To make matters worse, the Board of Elections of Suffolk County operated in near total secrecy.

The BOE refused to answer candidates’ questions, and only provided the information they were legally required to after a Freedom of Information Act request was filed.

The Board of Elections purposely ruled the slate off the ballot on Thursday, then refused to tell the candidates until Friday afternoon. This of course meant no action could be taken until after the long weekend.

“Unfortunately, the employees of the BOE in Suffolk county think they work for their Democrat and Republican masters. They don’t. They work for the voters of New York,” Tobin said.  “The actions of the Suffolk County Board of Elections are inexcusable. Hundreds of people signed a petition to see candidates other than the incumbents on their ballot. Now because of soviet-style partisan politics, they will be unable to vote for anything but the status quo.”

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation remains committed to eliminating the onerous and archaic petitioning requirements that limit the choices of the voters of New York state.

#####

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is a non partisan, non-profit  501 (c)4 public policy advocacy organization dedicated to eliminating restrictive ballot access laws that target Independent and Third-Party Candidates.

Free & Equal will challenge these laws, through lobbying of state legislators, court challenges, and initiatives. Free & Equal does not endorse any candidates for office.

August 31, 2009 – After filing the necessary petitions required for ballot access in New York state, several independent and third party candidates find themselves squaring off with Democrats and Republicans long before election day, thanks to the archaic and cumbersome regulations governing nominating petitions.

New York state law has stringent requirements for nominating petitions. In the past, candidates have been kicked off the ballot for little more than clerical errors.

“It is essential that every “I” be dotted, every “T” be crossed, and every petition bound according to the exact specifications of New York state law,” said Sean Haugh of the Free & Equal Elections Foundation. “As someone who has collected signatures in New York this election cycle and previously, I have seen first hand how the Democrats and Republicans use these burdensome requirements to limit the voters’ choices in New York.”

Any individual voter can challenge the validity of a nominating petition in New York state. The challenger must submit the specific objections within six days of filing the original challenge.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is aware of several nominating petitions being challenged. Specifics of the challenges were due at the end of last week.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation awaits information on the specific challenges, and will continue preparing to defend the nominating petitions of several independent and third party candidates.

Further complicating the process of defending these challenges, many county Boards of Elections operate in near total secrecy.

In Suffolk County, Libertarian Party officials had to file a request under the federal Freedom of Information Act just to see the documentation of the objections against their candidates.

In Monroe County, which includes Rochester, candidates who are challenged are not even informed of when the hearing of objections will take place.

In Suffolk County, the petition of the Libertarian Party slate for Sheriff, District Attorney and County Treasurer have been challenged.  The individual challenge comes from Rosemary Marchlowska, a Democratic Party State Committee member.

Democrats and Republicans have cross-endorsed the same candidates for these three county offices in Suffolk County.  If the challenge is successful, voters will have no choice on the ballot in these races.

In the race for Rochester Commissioner of Schools, candidate Chris Edes, already on the ballot as a Democrat, had his Libertarian Party signatures challenged.  That challenge comes from Marcos Cruz, son of Commissioner of Schools candidate Jose Cruz.

Outside of Rochester in Sweden, Libertarian Party candidate for Town Board Tim Bates was also challenged.

Green Party candidate for Mayor of Rochester Alex White also faces a challenge. If the challenge is upheld, the mayor’s race will go uncontested.

“I’m running because no other party would put someone up to run against the Mayor,” White said. “Every politician, no matter what party, should be held accountable, including Mayor [Bob] Duffy. That is why I’m calling for all voters in the city to tell the Democratic machine that enough is enough. We want a choice at the ballot.”

In North Castle in Westchester County, Libertarian candidates also are being challenged.  Again, if these challenges are upheld, only one candidate would be on the general election ballot in these races.

“Once again, the Democrats and Republicans are paralyzed with the fear of how the citizens of New York will vote given a real choice on their ballot,” said Christina Tobin, Founder and Chair of The Free & Equal Elections Foundation.

In Suffolk County, the petition of the Libertarian Party slate for Sheriff, District Attorney and County Treasurer have been challenged.  The individual challenge comes from Rosemary Marchlowska, a Democratic Party State Committee member.

In Suffolk County, the Democrats and Republicans have cross-endorsed the same candidates for these three county offices.  If the challenge is successful, voters will have no choice on the ballot in these races.

In the race for Rochester Commissioner of Schools, candidate Chris Edes, already on the ballot as a Democrat, had his Libertarian Party signatures challenged.  That challenge comes from Mario Cruz, son of Democratic City Council candidate Jose Cruz.

Green Party candidate for Mayor of Rochester Alex White also had his petitions challenged. If the challenge is upheld, the mayor’s race will go uncontested.

“I’m running because no other party would put someone up to run against the Mayor,” White said. “Every politician, no matter what party, should be held accountable, including Mayor [Bob] Duffy. That is why I’m calling for all voters in the city to tell the Democratic machine that enough is enough. We want a choice at the ballot.”

Also challenged in Rochester is Diane Watkins, who is running for City Council.  Watkins was successfully challenged off the Democratic primary ballot, so she mounted an independent petition effort using the party label Friends of Diane Watkins.

About the challenge, Watkins said, “it has become a way for candidates and local political party staffers to… eliminate their competition before voters have an opportunity to choose…. It is proving to be a way to usurp grassroots democratic voting processes in favor of a ‘who you know’ candidate selection process.”

Also, in North Castle in Westchester County, Libertarian candidates also are being challenged.  Again, if these challenges are upheld, only one candidate would be on the general election ballot in these races.

“Democracy means choice, not a one-party state,” said Sean Haugh of Free & Equal Elections. “The voters must have an alternative to the Democratic and Republican duopoly that control the politics of the state.”

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation awaits news of the specific objections to the challenged petitions . Under New York state law, specific reasons for these challenges are due later this week.

Today, we get word from Richard Winger’s Ballot Access News that Governor Pat Quinn has issued an “amendatory veto” on IL HB 723.

The bill would make it impossible for qualified parties to nominate someone by party meeting after the primary, unless a petition is submitted for each committee-nominated nominee. (Read Free & Equal’s Letter to Governor Quin Here)

While The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is pleased that this corrupt legislation, which specifically targets the Green Party of Illinois, will not be enacted into law any time soon, we will continue to be vigilant and ensure that the bill does not return to the Governor’s desk.

In his “amendatory veto,” Governor Quinn asks the legislature to add into the bill a call for a ballot question on next February’s primary ballot:

“Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to allow the people of Illinois to initiate, by petition, a binding referendum to adopt standards of ethical conduct for officials and employees of State government?”

Sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it?

But attaching this language will do nothing to ensure that Illinois voters have a real choice in who they send to Springfield. In fact, HB 723′s election code amendments would still severely limit the already sparse choices Illinois voters have in the voting booth.

If the voters of Illinois want to break free from the corruption that plagues their state, they must first place the blame where it belongs: squarely on the shoulders of the Two-Party duopoly and machine-style politics.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation commends Governor Quinn for at least delaying the implementation of HB 723 into law.

However, Free & Equal will not stand by silently if the bill should find its way back to the Governor’s desk, and we encourage the voters of Illinois to contact your legislators and urge them to vote down the “Protect Incumbents Act” once and for all.