Caldwell removed himself as a plaintiff, August 25, one day before CBS affiliate WLKY in Louisville reported news of Caldwell’s recent arrest. Lawrence dropped the lawsuits against Martin and Hansen, August 27, insuring that both candidates will be on the November ballot. The defendant’s court hearings were scheduled for Monday, August 30, but have been canceled in light of these events.

Immediately after being notified about the lawsuits, a public campaign from several fronts pushed this issue into the media. Libertarian candidate Martin issued a statement as did the Libertarian Party of Kentucky. Martin’s campaign then asked Lally’s campaign to publicly call for his Republican associates to drop the lawsuit. The Free and Equal Elections Foundation added to the efforts with a media release and brought this to the attention of ballot access activists nationwide.

Journalist Sheldon S. Shafer for the courier-journal in Louisville reported on the lawsuit along with WHAS-ABC Channel 11. Louisville’s NPR news station, WFLP 89.3, ran a story and Louisville News and Politics, the Kentucky Freedom Digest, and Page One Kentucky continued their coverage.

The Libertarian Party of Kentucky has used these events as a call to action to get involved and help protect democracy in their state. This statement is from their website: “One supporter who had remained Republican to date tonight committed on Facebook to switch his registration to Libertarian to show his disgust. He’ll be following this action by sending a photocopied version of his voter card (with SSN redacted) to his local GOP chair, the Jefferson County (Louisville) GOP chair, and the GOP state chairman, along with a letter explaining his disgust with these dirty political antics as the reason for his switch.”

“This is the type of quick action and media attention that should be given to an issue as important as democratic elections,” said Christina Tobin, Chair and founder of Free and Equal Elections Foundation. “Republicans are running scared in this election cycle as evidenced by their attacks on equal access to the ballots by alternative candidates here in Kentucky, and in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Democrats use the same tactics as well. Free and Equal’s radio show is one avenue we are using to stop this bad political behavior, and we are glad to have Independent candidate Michael Hansen join us this week.”

In addition to Hansen, Ken Moellman, Libertarian Party of Kentucky Chair, will be a guest on the next Free and Equal radio show on Tuesday, August 31 from 10-11pm ET to talk about the lawsuit situation and Kentucky elections. Christi Gillespie, State Coordinator of Free & Equal Kentucky will join the show as well to talk about upcoming events. Ed Martin has also been invited to join us on the show, should his busy campaign schedules permit it. The Free and Equal radio show can be listened to live at BlogTalkRadio or at the Free and Equal website where it is also available for later enjoyment.

“The voters deserve to have as many choices as we can get on Election Day,” said Christi Gillespie. “It’s funny how the Republicans are all in favor of free market solutions until you start talking about the ballot box. I encourage voters to analyze all candidates including write-ins, regardless of their party affiliation, and vote for the one that truly reflects your values and beliefs. It is time we began voting for the best candidate, and not just voting for the lesser of two evils.”

Gillespie is helping to organize the Free and Equal Candidate Forum Saturday, September 25th from 2 – 6 p.m. at the Kentucky State Capitol steps. All candidates are invited to share their message with voters at this event. More details will be released about this all-inclusive event as it develops.

“I’m glad Martin and Hansen are now assured of their rightful place on the ballot,” Tobin said. “These tactics are not only designed to remove legitimate competition from the ballots, they are also designed to drain the resources of their competition, create uncertainty and confusion in the voting public as to who will be on the ballot, and distract both their competitors’ campaigns and the media from the important issues confronting the electorate. When people like Lawrence use these tactics it should be exposed and remembered.”

“Free and Equal is here to make sure more voters are educated about their election system and who is trying to game it for their own advantage,” Tobin said. “Another typical practice that only serves to hurt the voters is when they keep candidates off the stage of debates, forums and public speaking engagements. Recent rallies in Kentucky have been manipulated to exclude candidates in an attempt to keep their messages from being heard by voters. With our first Free and Equal Candidate Forum in Kentucky coming up in September we intend to start restoring the principles of fair elections that every voter deserves.”

The lawsuit was filed by Cordell Lawrence as Vice Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party and David Caldwell. Caldwell has since removed himself as a plaintiff. A hearing for Ed Martin will take place at the Jefferson Circuit Court Division 5, located at 700 W. Jefferson St. in Louisville, Ky., on August 30th at 10:45am, with Michael Hansen’s hearing at 1:00pm.

In a response to the lawsuit, Libertarian candidate Ed Martin pointed out the vague nature of the Republican’s court filing. “At this point, no cause of action or claim is stated in the complaint,” Martin said. “I’m at a loss right now as to what their claim is.”

Ken Moellman, Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Kentucky also responded to the attack on his party’s candidate. “Apparently, Republicans are so insecure about their lack of a substantive platform that they are trying to steal half of the options the voters have.”

Journalist Sheldon S. Shafer for the courier-journal in Louisville reported on the lawsuit along with WHAS-ABC Channel 11.

“Michael Hansen turned in his nominating papers in March and the Jefferson County Republicans are just now getting around to filing the lawsuit,” said Christina Tobin, Chair and founder of Free and Equal Elections Foundation. “That is either complete incompetence or cruel calculation, neither of which should be tolerated in a respectable democracy. Cordell Lawrence should resign his position with the Jefferson County Republican Party immediately for this abuse against free and equal elections that is wasting court time and taxpayer dollars.”

“This is exactly what Barack Obama and his ‘Chicago Way’ Democrats do to remove political competition from the ballot, and now Louisville Republicans are acting just like them,” Tobin said. “If Republican Todd Lally is in any way connected to these attempts to take choices away from Kentucky voters, he is unfit to hold an office with power and should drop out of the race right now. This type of anti-democratic behavior is not acceptable in Kentucky or anywhere in the US.”

Free and Equal Elections Foundation has started organizing at the grassroots in Kentucky to promote fair elections that will give all Kentucky voters the ballot choices they deserve. Free and Equal will sponsor a Freedom Rally and Candidate Forum Saturday, September 25th from 2-6 p.m. at the Kentucky State Capitol steps.

Ken Moellman will be a guest on the next Free and Equal radio show on Tuesday, August 31 from 10-11pm ET to talk about this situation. Candidates Ed Martin and Michael Hansen have also been invited as guests if their busy campaign schedules permit it. The Free and Equal radio show can be listened to live at BlogTalkRadio or at the Free and Equal website where it is also available for later enjoyment.

Kentucky Republicans are attempting to remove two candidates from the November ballot for the 3rd Congressional District with a lawsuit filed on August 20, 2010. Ed Martin, candidate for the Libertarian Party, and Michael D. Hansen, independent candidate, were notified of the lawsuit this week.

Michael Hansen will a guest along with Ken Moellman, Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Kentucky to talk about this situation and Kentucky politics. Christi Gillespie, State Coordinator of Free & Equal Kentucky will join the show also to discuss the upcoming Candidate Forum sponsored by Free and Equal. Ed Martin has also been invited as guests if his busy campaign schedule permits it.

Democracy is under attack. Revolution at the ballot box must be a possibility. Tune in and do your part. Call in at 347-633-9636 to get your two bits in.

Listen to the show live with chat right here:

Richard Winger is publisher and editor of Ballot Access News, established in 1985, a founder of the Coalition for Free and Open Elections, COFOE, and a frequent expert witness in court proceedings and legislative hearings. He is currently providing expert support to a lawsuit against Washington state’s Top Two election system. Winger is also a Californians for Electoral Reform, CfER, board member.

The lawsuit against SB 6 will not overturn the vote on Proposition 14, as Governor Schwarzenegger and Lt. Governor Maldonado wrongly assumed. The lawsuit seeks to force the California State Legislature to fix two things before Proposition 14 is implemented.

Gautam Dutta, the attorney representing the plaintiffs in the SB 6 lawsuit, and Steve Chessin, a plaintiff of the SB 6 lawsuit and president and board member of CfER were recent guests on the Free and Equal radio show. They spoke at length about the lawsuit and related topics. That interview, starting at the 32 minute mark of the two hour show, can be heard on the Free and Equal website. Dutta recently had an article, “Why People Hate Politics”, published by the Huffington Post.

“The lawsuit Dutta, Chessin and Winger are working on against SB 6, and Winger’s involvement with the team appealing Washington’s Top Two election to the U.S. Supreme Court are important actions being taken to protect democracy in America,” Tobin said. “Free and Equal is here to help spread the word about their actions and to help their voices be heard so that we can continue to make this land a better place.”

“Right now, Governor Schwarzenegger and the California legislature need to listen to Dutta and the plaintiffs in the case against SB 6 instead of calling them names,” Tobin said. “We’ll be talking more about that, Tuesday.”

After the June 8 vote on Proposition 14, Free and Equal Elections Foundation has transformed StopTopTwo.org into a nationwide educational campaign to make voters aware of all the unhealthy aspects of a Top Two election system. Articles, such as Ralph Nader’s recent one titled “California Enshrines the Duopoly” can be found at StopTopTwo.org making it the internet hub for people interested in learning more about Top Two election systems.

In addition to producing the ongoing StopTopTwo.org campaign, Free and Equal is working hard to reform election laws through involvement with lawsuits, efforts to introduce and pass legislation in several states, and with the initiative and referendum process. Free and Equal also seeks to help amplify political voices wanting to participate by organizing candidate debates.

Free and Equal has organized debates for President and Vice President, three debates for Governor in Illinois, and has a U.S. Senatorial debate scheduled Thursday, August 19, at Northern Illinois University. Plans are also underway to hold a series of debates across the state of Calif. for the upcoming election in an effort to educate more voters about important issues.

Radio Show Canceled for Tonight, August 17, 2010

We’ll return at the same time and same place next week.

Michael White starts off the show. He is the Constitution Party candidate for Governor of Illinois, and participated in Free and Equal’s debate for IL Governor. Their petitions are being challenged. Michael will update us on his campaign and how the Constitution Party candidates are doing in Illinois.

Steve Chessin, a plaintiff in the lawsuit against California Senate Bill 6 will join us, along with the attorney that is representing the plaintiffs in that lawsuit Gautam Dutta.

Steve Chessin is an election reform activist in California and a member of Californians for Electoral Reform who has supported successful efforts to use IRV elections in CA.

Guatam Dutta has an extensive background in the law and currently practices in California. He was recently the Deputy Director of the Political Reform Program at the New America Foundation working on government reform and election law issues.

Chris Edes, Free and Equal staff member from NY, may also join us to fill us in on the happenings there.

Democracy is under attack. Revolution at the ballot box must be a possibility. Tune in and do your part. Call in at 347-633-9636 to get your two bits in.

Listen to the show live with chat right here:

Democracy is under attack. Revolution at the ballot box must be a possibility. Tune in and do your part. Call in at 347-633-9636 to get your two bits in.

Listen to the show live with chat right here:

Carl Romanelli, 2006 Green Party candidate for US Senate in PA, will be a terrific guest for this show. Carl just filed a federal lawsuit against PA Democrats for illegally using state government employees and resources to keep him off the ballot. Several defendants in the lawsuit have already been arrested or convicted. Carl also was assessed a fee of more than $80,000 by PA courts because he lost the petition challenge where state employees were used against him. Carl has a fascinating story that everyone who cares about democracy should listen to. Call in at 347-633-9636 to get your two bits in.

Listen to the show live with chat right here:

Listen to the show here:

Open phone lines after 10:15Central/11:15pm Eastern. Listeners call in at 347-633-9636 to try to get your two bits in.

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