…and better than ever!

‘Free and Equal Elections Foundation’ announced today the early 2012 launch for their revamped website at www.freeandequal.org.

Building on the last set of website upgrades, the new web design will upgrade both appearance and functionality, featuring an enhanced social networking application that is organized by state using an interactive map, and loaded with useful information about congressional candidates, and news and events for Free and Equal state caucuses.

The 2012 campaign season is moving fast. As the year progresses, Free and Equal friends and allies will be able to use the new website to keep citizens and media professionals up-to-date with pertinent political news, and let the politicians and lobbyists know that the people are watching. Our goal is to empower every American citizen to have free and equal access to the ballot, and our political process, whether as a candidate or voter.

Our project is well underway, but we need your help in the form of your most generous contribution. Confidence is government is at a new low, and our nation needs new choices and new ideas, now more than ever.

You can donate here. Thank you, and we would love to hear your feedback any time.

“The United States of America was founded as a great experiment in self-government,” said Chris Edes, Free and Equal New York Caucus Leader, and member of the Occupy Rochester (NY) Electoral Reform Working Group. “We believe the most exciting work remains to be done. We could not be more pleased to see people across this great nation discarding the shackles of apathy, and stepping forward to lead.”

Free & Equal Founder and Chair Christina Tobin added: “As we did two years ago when we began to engage members of the Tea Party, countless numbers of whom have demonstrated true grassroots activism, we now greet the Occupy movement with open arms. We believe in empowering people regardless of ideology or affiliation.”

As part of the outreach effort, Free & Equal will offer to educate activists about reforms such as Instant Runoff Voting, Proportional Representation, Term Limits, Initiative and Referendum, and other avenues of change.

In addition, Free & Equal will be offering advice and assistance to any Occupy group which wishes to run candidates for public office. “It is our hope that the Occupy movement will take their grievances to the ballot box, and hold their leaders accountable,” said Edes. “There are many cynical and unfair barriers which the establishment has put in place, to deny the people access to their ballot. We will help the Occupy movement overcome these barriers.”

Free & Equal does not endorse or favor any specific reform, and does not endorse candidates for public office.

On January 1, 2010, an Alabama bill to open up access to the ballot for independents and third party candidates, lost in committee by one vote. Also, on September 10, 2009, the California State Senate defeated an Instant Runoff Voting bill by one vote.

What if a third party candidate had been on the Alabama committee, or in the California State Senate? One vote could get a candidate elected, who would then be that one vote, which could reform our electoral system, and open the door to more independent and third party candidates. What if it was YOUR one vote? Next time you think your vote doesn’t count, think again. America needs good people to get involved and be active in their government. Democracy can work but it needs more people to get involved.

Rochester Tea Party leader Chris Edes issued a formal statement today, demanding Mayor Richards cease arresting Occupy Rochester protesters immediately.

“If we allow Mayor Richards to violate the First Amendment rights of the Occupy Rochester protesters, what is to prevent him from doing it to the Tea Party?” said Edes.

“The purpose of the law requiring city parks to close at 11pm is to deter crime. When dealing with First Amendment issues, the government must use the least restrictive means possible to achieve their goals. Requiring everyone to leave is clearly not the least restrictive means, even if the Mayor could point to specific instances of crime, which so far he has not. Mayor Richards’ actions are unconstitutional and if necessary, he will be held accountable in a court of law.”

Edes also noted that the Tea Party shares some common goals with the Occupy Wall Street movement. “It is the Federal Reserve, along with the banks and investment firms, and their lackeys in government, which created our economic crisis. This is becoming increasingly obvious to Americans of all political persuasions. It is shameful that Mayor Richards believes he can stifle the peaceful expression of outrage over this fact.”

Edes plans to join this afternoon’s march on City Hall, demanding that Richards cease his unlawful activity.

New York City – Free & Equal will Co-Host Liberty Fest NYC this Saturday, September 10, from 5pm-11pm at the Club Amnesia, on 609 West 29th Street in New York City.

Liberty Fest NYC brings activists, authors, bloggers, artists and musicians from different political backgrounds and parts of the country together to celebrate the cause of Liberty. The event has drawn an impressive roster of speakers, including NY Times best-selling author and Senior Fellow of the Ludwig von Mises Institute, Tom Woods. Other speakers include philosopher Stefan Molyneux; singer/songwriter Jordan Page; Scott Horton of antiwar.com, Andrew Schiff, Director of Communications and Marketing for Euro Pacific Capital, Kevin Zeese, Executive Director of Voters For Peace, former Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack; Free & Equal Founder and President Christina Tobin; former Congressional candidate Adam Kokesh; Gary Franchi, founder of the RTR.org social network; and 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate, RJ Harris, among others.

LibertyFest NYC is being sponsored by The Free & Equal Elections Foundation, Taxpayers United of America, the Manhattan Libertarian Party, the Free State Project, Voters For Peace, Antiwar.com, the Republican Liberty Caucus, Liberty-Candidates.org, Restore the Republic, DB Capitol Strategies, Freedomain Radio, Patriot Polls, and TruthSquad.TV.

“This year’s LibertyFest provides a great opportunity for people from many political backgrounds to exchange ideas and discover common ground,” Free & Equal Founder and President Christina Tobin said. “Free & Equal is proud to be a part of it.”

Tickets, info and sponsorship & vending opportunities are available at http://LFNYC.com.

“LibertyFest is a building of coalitions from the entire spectrum of the liberty movement. We must come together if we are going to bring liberty back to our country. What better way to start rebuilding than to begin at the place where liberty was lost as we come together to bring it back on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 ,” says Gigi Bowman, co-organizer of LibertyFest and founder of Liberty-Candidates.org.

The event has drawn an impressive roster of speakers, including NY Times best-selling author and Senior Fellow of the Ludwig von Mises Institute, Tom Woods. Other speakers include voluntaryist philosopher, Stefan Molyneux – former Arizona Sheriff, Richard Mack – former Congressional candidate,  Adam Kokesh – Gary Franchi, founder of the RTR.org social network – and 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate, RJ Harris. In addition, many current and former candidates from Liberty-Candidates.org will be speaking and celebrating the launch of the first official book from the same organization, titled: How to Run for Office on a Liberty Platform.

This event is truly drawing people from all arenas, as stated by co-organizer, Ian Cioffi, “LibertyFest NYC is about bringing people from various political views together, under one roof, to discuss what we can agree on, and how to build from there. It’s an event for people who understand that both parties are to blame, and how we can go about fixing our broken political system.”

Co-organizer, Amanda Trbovich adds, “LibertyFest is about coming together and working with one another. We all have such different viewpoints and we all think very critically – not everyone is going to agree and that is healthy, it keeps us vigilant, as we were meant to be. This event celebrates the differences in the Liberty Movement and invites everyone to come together to share ideas on the best way to preserve our inherent human freedoms.”

Book signings, Liberty themed music & clothing, precious metals by Del Valley Silver and much more will be available in the vendor loft.

“We will be honoring 9/11 heroes and victims, discussing philosophy, debating solutions to national political and economic challenges and having a great time while doing it!” said co-organizer Danny Panzella.

LibertyFest NYC is being held at Club Amnesia: 609 West 29th Street New York, NY 10001 from 5:00 – 11:00 PM on September 10^th, 2011. Organized and hosted on a grass-roots level by Liberty Activists: Danny Panzella (TruthSquad.tv), Gigi Bowman (Liberty-Candidates.org), Ian Cioffi (PatriotPolls.com), Amanda Trbovich (Trbobitch.com) and Christina Tobin (FreeandEqual.org). Sponsored and Co-Hosted by: The Free & Equal Elections Foundation - a non-partisan, non-profit public policy advocacy group dedicated to election reform and improving ballot access laws in the United States. Tickets, info and sponsorship & vending opportunities are available at http://LFNYC.com.

Not much has been reported, however, from the perspective of electoral reform. To that end, Free & Equal would like to recognize a few of New York’s political “heroes and zeros.”

HERO: State Senator Joseph Robach introduced, and the State Senate passed, a constitutional amendment that would allow New Yorkers to enact and amend laws through initiative and referendum. New York is known for having the country’s most dysfunctional state government, dominated by a few political bosses. Free & Equal congratulates Senator Robach for leading the way in restoring power to the people.

HERO: State Senator Roy McDonald, during a recent announcement that he was changing his vote in favor of same-sex marriage, said in part: “You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f— it, I don’t care what you think. I’m trying to do the right thing… I’m tired of Republican-Democrat politics. They can take the job and shove it.” Free & Equal encourages other political leaders to adopt Senator McDonald’s view of major party politics.

Of course, there were also low points. Free & Equal examines just one.

ZERO: This year’s ethics reform bill makes some positive changes. Yet New York’s political elites couldn’t resist adding one provision that enshrines the Democrats and Republicans in special positions of power. The proposed Joint Commission on Public Ethics would be composed, by law, of only Democrats and Republicans. Governor Cuomo was asked about the role of independents at a recent news conference. “They don’t exist!” was Cuomo’s response, according to the Wall Street Journal, “at which point he and legislative leaders standing beside him broke into a hearty laugh.”

Yes, progress is slow in the Empire State, but the spirit of independence remains alive. According to Free & Equal CIO and New York resident Chris Edes, who also lives in Senator Robach’s district: “New York can work its way back to responsible government, but it will take hard work. Leaders like Senator Robach are stepping up to the plate. When the legislature reconvenes in January, it will be time for New York’s citizens to demand action.”

HB 2009 is a bill which would make it illegal to run for office as an independent candidate, if a person votes in a party primary. Many independents choose to vote in Illinois’ open primary system, a system which has benefited political parties, since independents who vote in a primary are more likely to vote for that party in the general election. HB 2009 would take away their right to run for office as independents.

HB 2854 is a bill that would make it easier to run for office as an independent, especially for lower income candidates who cannot afford litigation. The bill would give candidates two choices for getting on the ballot: either the current system of gathering a very large number of signatures on a petition, often followed by extensive litigation; or a filing fee.

Illinois is one of the most difficult states in the nation for independent candidates. For instance, independents need to collect 25,000 signatures to get on the ballot for Governor, while Democrats and Republicans need only 5,000. If independents manage to do this, extensive challenges and litigation follow, based on obscure rules which are often selectively enforced.

As well as helping those not experienced with “working the system,” HB 2854 would help lower income candidates, as the cost of litigation is almost always higher than the proposed filing fee. The State must also pay employees for petition review and judicial proceedings, whereas filing fees would generate revenue instead.

“HB 2854 is a win-win for everyone except party bosses,” said Christina Tobin, Chair of The Free & Equal Elections Foundation, which recently wrote a letter supporting the bill. “HB 2009 would take away voting rights. Legislators face clear choices, and the people of Illinois are watching.”

Phil Moffett and John T. Kemper III, Republican candidates for Governor and Auditor, respectively, had signed a petition which would allow Libertarian Party candidate for State Treasurer Ken Moellman a place on the ballot.

Republicans and Democrats do not need to collect signatures to appear on the ballot, but other parties must under Kentucky state law. “I don’t think that’s the right thing to do,” Moffett said. “We’re all Kentuckians. We’re all citizens. And we should all have equal access.”

Kentucky GOP Chair Steve Robertson has threatened to have both candidates removed from the ballot if they win the primary, using a provision of Kentucky election law. Candidates for election in a primary must sign a statement saying they “intend to support its principles and policies” of their party. Robertson alleges that signing a petition allowing another candidate to run for office violates this oath.

If upheld by the courts, his challenge would enable the second-place finisher to take the nomination. Should Moffett or Kemper win, the likely runners up would be candidates favored by party leaders such as Robertson.

“When it comes to competition, Mr. Robertson’s views appear closer to Karl Marx than Adam Smith,” said Free & Equal chair Christina Tobin. “How ironic that he would cite the principles of the Republican Party, while opposing a free market in ideas.”

Among the speakers will be nationally known former Sheriff Richard Mack, 2004 Presidential candidate Michael Badnarik, Free & Equal Chair and founder Christina Tobin, and Free & Equal Kentucky caucus leader Ginny Saville.

In addition to their usual presentations on the meaning and practical effect of the Constitution, Mack and Badnarik are discussing the recent allegations from all sides of the political spectrum that the DEA is abusing its powers, using novel interpretations of its authority or in defiance of orders.

Along with their standard presentation, Mack and Badnarik will discuss the controversy surrounding recent DEA actions, which are being criticized on all sides of the political spectrum as abusive.

On March 15, the DEA seized chemicals necessary for lethal injection, a backdoor way to prevent states from implementing the death penalty. Free & Equal previously reported on the DEA’s attempts to undermine state medical marijuana laws in Montana.

Sheriff Mack will discuss the implications this conflict between federal and state law has for local law enforcement. Michael Badnarik will discuss the historical and constitutional relationship between federal government and the states.

“The issue of using the federal bureaucracy to oppose the actions of elected representatives deserves discussion,” said Free & Equal founder and chair Christina Tobin. “Are we accumulating too much power in places voters can’t reach?”

On March 16, Nebraska became the first state this year to enact ballot access reform, according to Richard Winger’s Ballot Access News, eliminating “the county distribution requirement for statewide non-presidential independent candidate petitions,” when Governor Dave Heineman signed LB 399 into law.

Three days later, Senate Bill 403, the New Mexico omnibus election law bill passed the New Mexico Senate unanimously after being passed by the House with a unanimous vote. The bill contains provisions to extend the petition deadline for independent candidates by three weeks, and lower the petition signature requirement for new parties in mid-term election years.

In Illinois, Rep. Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) introduced House Bill 2854, to allow candidates to pay a filing fee in place of Illinois’ discriminatory petitioning requirements, “[helping] Illinois in this time of financial crisis, while opening up the electoral process,” according to Christina Tobin, founder of the Free & Equal Elections Foundation, which is backing the bill. Free & Equal held a press conference recently with former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, to highlight the national character of these reforms.

Moving east, the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition is working with Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York) and Senator Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) to push for passage of the Voters’ Choice Act (Senate Bill 21). The bill would lower the threshold for new parties to become recognized for the ballot, and reduce the number of signatures required for independent candidates.

In North Carolina, State Reps Stephen LaRoque (R-Lenoir), Glen Bradley (R-Youngsville), Paul Leubke (D-Durham) and Jean Farmer-Butterfield (D-Wilson) introduced the Electoral Freedom Act (House Bill 32) in early February. The Free the Vote Coalition, composed of fifteen organizations including Free the Vote North Carolina, the Free & Equal Elections Foundation, FairVote Action, the John Locke Foundation and Democracy North Carolina, are actively lobbying for the bill’s passage. State Senators Andrew C. Brock (R-Mocksville) and Eleanor Kinnaird (D-Chapel Hill) introduced Senate Bill 225, a companion bill, in the NC Senate in early March.

Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform (OBAR) is working with Rep. Charles Key (R-Oklahoma City) to promote House Bill 1058, which would cut the signature requirement for new political parties in half. The bill calls for a 22,500 signature requirement, rather than the current requirement of 5% of votes cast in the last statewide election.

In Alabama, an organization called Independent Alabama is backing a ballot access reform effort, while Marylanders4Democracy is pressing the issue in Maryland. The New Hampshire Libertarian Party is backing a ballot access reform bill in their state. Other states with pending ballot access legislation are Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Maine, Missouri, New York and Tennessee.

Christina Tobin of the Free & Equal Elections Foundation stated, “this is the largest number of states pursuing ballot access reform in over a decade. This is a sign that people are waking up, and demanding their right to vote for the candidate of their choice. We’re pleased with the number and quality of the legislation being introduced, and look forward to better government from the coming elections as a result.”

Watch a video of the press conference here:

Free & Equal will hold a press conference with Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson to support HB2854, a bill in the Illinois legislature which would allow filing fees as an alternative to the petition process.

The press conference will take place on Thursday, March 24th at 10:45am CST, at Free & Equal’s Chicago office at 407 S. Dearborn St., Suite 1170. There will be a live feed of this press conference at www.freeandequal.org .

HB2854 would generate revenue for Illinois, as opposed to the current system of petition reviews at taxpayer expense. Taxpayers United of America, one of the largest taxpayer organizations in MidAmerica, has endorsed the bill, which has also generated strong interest amongst Tea Party groups in Illinois.

Gary Johnson served as Governor of New Mexico for two terms, from 1995 to 2002. During his tenure, he vetoed more bills than the other 49 governors combined — 750 in total. Johnson also vetoed thousands of “line items” to reduce wasteful spending, cut taxes 14 times, and saw New Mexico’s GDP increase almost 30 percent during his tenure. When he left office, New Mexico had a balanced budget and a $1 billion surplus. He is considered a strong contender for the Republican Presidential nomination. Johnson will have a message to deliver to Illinois state legislators regarding this bill.

Gov. Gary Johnson is currently the honorary chairman of the OUR America Initiative, a policy advocacy committee that promotes fiscal responsibility, civil liberties, and rational public policy. Perhaps Illinois’ legislators can learn some fiscal responsibility from Governor Johnson.

CHICAGO (Feb. 21) – Today, State Representative Jim Watson (R-97, Jacksonville) introduced House Bill 2854, a ballot access reform bill for Illinois elections. HB2854, originally proposed by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation, would allow candidates for public office an alternative to Illinois’ unequal and burdensome signature requirements by paying a filing fee in its place.

The bill would allow candidates to pay a filing fee equal to 1% of the annual salary of the office sought in lieu of gathering signatures. Illinois requirements for independent candidates are in many cases a great deal more restrictive than they are for political party candidates, effectively preventing independents from getting on the ballot. HB2854 would make the requirements equal for independents and recognized party candidates, so that Illinois voters have a choice.

According to ballot access expert Richard Winger, if the bill were to pass, Illinois would join Louisiana, Florida, and Oklahoma in allowing certain candidates to pay a filing fee in lieu of the petition requirement.

“Currently, Illinois’ ballot access laws disadvantage independent candidates by requiring them to obtain hundreds and even tens of thousands more signatures than their Republican and Democratic counterparts,” said Christina Tobin, founder and chair of the Free & Equal Elections Foundation. “A filing fee option will put independent candidates on a more equal footing.”

The filing fee option would also save the state money, by bringing in additional revenue through the filing fees, in addition to reducing the amount of time the state has to pay employees to verify signatures. According to Ms. Tobin, “the filing fee option will help Illinois in this time of fiscal crisis, while also opening up the electoral process to more choices and new ideas, producing more competitive elections and better government.”

Free and Equal Elections Foundation today announced that Gary Johnson, former governor of New Mexico, has endorsed the Foundation’s efforts to reform election laws and improve candidate and voter rights.

Johnson served as governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003. A republican known for his libertarian views, Johnson founded the Our America Initiative, a political advocacy organization that promotes small and efficient government, lower taxes, civil liberties, free enterprise, and an end to marijuana prohibition.

“Non-establishment candidates must jump through all sorts of hoops to get on the ballot,” stated Gary Johnson. “The system impedes new leaders and new ideas from even being considered by voters in elections, leaving us with fewer choices and compromising our democracy. Our election laws obstruct healthy competition. Americans deserve more, and Free and Equal is leading the way to reforming our country’s inequitable election laws.”

“As advocates for the right of all people to vote and run for office, we are proud to receive Gary Johnson’s endorsement,” said Free and Equal’s founder and chair Christina Tobin. “Politics as usual must end, and the only way to accomplish that is at the ballot box.”

Free and Equal will be sharing a booth with Our America Initiative and other like-minded organizations at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Click here to purchase tickets online.

New Website Launches Tuesday

Free and Equal Elections Foundation will launch its new website on Tuesday, February 1. The new site will enable visitors to participate directly in electoral reform. Each state will have its own caucus with its own web page featuring local news and events and localized content from Ballot Access News and other sources. The new website will transition into a social online networking portal and tool for electoral reform. Each state caucus will have its own Facebook group and caucus leader, who will coordinate activism for each state such as educational campaigns, legislation and litigation.

That same year saw the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by Congress. It is notable that for decades, southern states had been engaged in a cat-and-mouse game, amending their laws in response to federal court decisions requiring them to allow black people to vote.

Georgia now requires a petition signed by 5% of registered voters in the district. The state also requires that all petition sheets be notarized, that all petitions be collected on over-size paper, and forbids the petition drive to begin until six months before the July petition deadline. Also, candidates must pay a filing fee of 3% of the annual salary, or approximately $5,000. The filing fee must be paid before the signatures are filed, and is not refundable.

Along with the Coalition for Free and Open Elections (COFOE) and the Center for Competitive Democracy, Free & Equal filed an amicus curiae brief supporting the case.

Faye Coffield, the plaintiff in the case, was an independent candidate for U.S. House in 2008 in Georgia’s 4th district. Incumbent Democrat Hank Johnson, was the only candidate on the ballot for the office, in either the primary or general election. “We have done the best we can,” Coffield said regarding the decision. “It is apparent the Courts will continue to refuse to address the disenfranchisement of the millions of independent and non-party affiliated voters.”

Other candidates who have been denied access to Georgia’s ballot include Ray Boyd and Jeff Anderson. Boyd, who attempted to run for Governor of Georgia in November 2010, had this to say: “Every registered voter in every state in the union for every elected office should have the same opportunity to be on the ballot if they meet the minimum standards required for the two major party candidates to appear on the ballot.”

Jeff Anderson, who attempted to run for Congress in Georgia’s 11th District, said: ‘While disappointing, today’s declination by the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the Georgia ballot access case, “Coffield v. Kemp” is an understandable reflection of the national misimpression that this issue is no big deal; certainly not for just one state or any small jurisdiction. But the driving principle behind appropriate ballot access, at least in the case of federal offices, is of critical importance to all citizens interconnected by our federal government — improvement of the candidate pool through wider and more clear opportunity, leading to better quality elected officials and in the end, better governing across all constituencies. Our tasks now are to continue working toward improved governing using the existing election structure, while illuminating its shortcomings and pressing for the corrective legislation that only principled lawmakers will bring.’

Free and Equal will be there every step of the way.

If passed, the bill would open Illinois elections, improving democracy for Illinois voters, and saving Illinois residents millions of tax dollars.

You can find the proposed language on our website, as well as charts showing signature and filing fee requirements for statewide office in all 50 states, for both primary and general elections. A majority of states use filing fees for primary elections.

Christina Tobin, founder and chair of Free and Equal Elections Foundation, is scheduled to speak about the bill to the Chicago Bar Association’s Election Law Committee on January 14.

The proposed bill, if passed, would open Illinois elections, improve democracy for Illinois voters, and save Illinoisans millions of dollars. Details of the bill, as well as charts showing other states that have implemented this policy, will be revealed at the press conference.

Christina Tobin, founder and chair of Free and Equal Elections Foundation, will speak in support of the bill to allow all Illinois candidates the option of paying a filing fee to get on the ballot, in lieu of signature collection. She is also scheduled to speak about the bill to the Chicago Bar Association’s Election Law Committee on January 14.

“The proposed bill would be a huge win for Illinois voters and taxpayers,” stated Christina Tobin, founder and chair of Free and Equal. “It eliminates costly paperwork, streamlines electoral processes, and generates revenue for the state.”

Free & Equal has identified both Democratic and Republican sponsors for such a bill in the Illinois state legislature. Christina will also be speaking to the Chicago Bar Association about the bill, at the invitation of their Election Law Committee Chair. Eleven states currently allow the use of filing fees in lieu of signatures.

Christina was quoted today in the Chicago Sun Times regarding filing fees, and reports of corruption and fraud in the petition process for Chicago’s mayoral election.

Also at the press conference will be Jim Tobin, who will speak about his experience running for Governor in 1998, when he collected over 63,000 signatures, but failed to gain access to the ballot. Jim Tobin is Christina’s father.

In the suit, 2008 independent Congressional candidate Faye Coffield filed suit in U.S. District Court in Georgia, asking that the Georgia ballot access law for independent candidates for U.S. House of Representatives be declared unconstitutional. This case is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. For more information please read this article on Free & Equal’s website.

Past candidates Jeff Anderson, Brad Ploeger and Mary Norwood are mentioned in the amicus brief, along with others who attempted to fulfill Georgia’s unreasonable and discriminatory requirements for independent candidates. In response to the amicus filing they had this to say:

Anderson, an independent candidate for U.S. House in Georgia’s 11th district, said: “I fully endorse the corrective effort that is represented by the Coffield case and support the amicus filing by Free and Equal and others. It is most noteworthy that a broad group of dedicated Americans has, without any consideration or comparison of their individual political ideologies, joined together here to challenge something that should be of deep concern to every citizen – the direct and intentional denial of their representative right to run for office and to vote fairly.”

Norwood is a former Atlanta City Council member who was denied access to the ballot as an independent candidate for Chair of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. Said Norwood, “Georgia’s Ballot Access rules make the task of running as an independent a herculean task and one that is virtually impossible. As a seasoned candidate who has run in three nonpartisan citywide races, I was prepared to mobilize volunteers; raise funds; and conduct a campaign. However, the task of collecting valid signatures of 5% of the registered voters of the county required more in resources than I could have imagined.”

Ploeger sought to run as a Libertarian Party candidate for the Georgia State House. He was the only minor party nominee to bother trying after so many years of being locked out of the democratic process. In response to the filing, he said: “Georgia’s Ballot Access rules present a de-facto bar to participation by Independent and Third-Party candidates in the political process. These rules represent an infringement on the civil rights of all Georgians to select their elected representatives.”

Free & Equal supports all those in Georgia for whom the promise of democracy is denied, and will release further information as events develop.