Free & Equal condemns non-inclusive Chicago mayoral debate
The Free and Equal Elections Foundation issued a statement today condemning WLS ABC Channel 7′s decision to hold a non-inclusive Chicago mayoral debate on February 17, 2011. WLS included only selected candidates, intentionally excluding other legally qualified candidates. “WLS ABC Channel 7 should follow the example set by WFLD Fox Channel 32, which during the [...]
Free and Equal Announces Gary Johnson Endorsement and CPAC Participation
Johnson Supports Free and Equal’s Commitment to Candidate and Voter Rights 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 [...]
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Georgia Ballot Access Case
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it has declined to hear Coffield v Kemp, the suit challenging Georgia’s unreasonable requirements for independent candidates for Congress. According to Richard Winger of Ballot Access News, since the requirements were instituted in 1964, nobody has ever been able to fulfill these requirements. That same year saw the [...]
Language for proposed Illinois ballot access bill revealed
The Free and Equal Elections Foundation held a press conference yesterday at 1pm to introduce the language for a proposed ballot access bill. State representative Jim Watson (R-97, Jacksonville) has expressed interest in sponsoring the proposed bill. If passed, the bill would open Illinois elections, improving democracy for Illinois voters, and saving Illinois residents millions [...]
Free and Equal to Reveal Language in Proposed Illinois Ballot Access Bill
The Free and Equal Elections Foundation will hold a press conference on Tuesday to introduce the language for a proposed ballot access bill. The press conference will be held in the press room of the State Capitol, 207 S State Street in Springfield, at 1:00 p.m. CST. The proposed bill, if passed, would open Illinois [...]
Free & Equal to hold press conference on filing fee bill at 11am tomorrow
Christina Tobin, founder and Chair of Free & Equal, will hold a press conference tomorrow at 11am. Christina will release the language for a proposed bill to allow filing fees in lieu of signatures, for ballot access. The press conference will take place at Free & Equal’s Chicago office on 407 S. Dearborn St., Suite [...]
Amicus brief filed in Supreme Court for Georgia ballot access lawsuit
The Free and Equal Elections Foundation filed an amicus brief yesterday in Coffield v Kemp, along with the Center for Competitive Democracy and the Coalition for Free and Open Elections (COFOE). You can read the amicus brief here. In the suit, 2008 independent Congressional candidate Faye Coffield filed suit in U.S. District Court in Georgia, [...]
Free & Equal to file amicus brief in Georgia ballot access lawsuit
Since 1964, not even one third party or independent candidate has appeared on the Georgia ballot for U.S. House of Representatives. In the last 10 years, Georgia has been the only state to have no minor party or independent candidates on the ballot for the office. Georgia law requires that new party and independent candidates [...]
Coalition in Support of Proposition 19, to Legalize Cannabis in California, Grows as Election Nears.
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, an additional two groups and nine individuals have joined eight very diverse groups and political parties who, last week, signed on to a coalition strongly in support of Proposition 19, the initiative to legalize, tax and regulate cannabis throughout California. Marijuana Policy Project (MPP); National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws [...]
Candidates Saddle Up for All-Inclusive Gubernatorial Debate in California, Thursday, October 28.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – While the Democratic and Republican Party candidates continue to debate only amongst themselves, the four other gubernatorial candidates in California are gearing up to participate in what is sure to be a vigorous, all-inclusive debate hosted at California State University, Sacramento, in the Forest Suite located on the second floor of the [...]
Candidates Saddle Up for All-Inclusive Gubernatorial and U.S. Senate Debates in Illinois, Thursday.
DEKALB, Ill. – While the two major party candidates continue to debate only amongst themselves, all six minor party gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidates in Illinois are gearing up to participate in what is sure to be a vigorous all-inclusive back-to-back candidate debate hosted at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, in the Carl Sandburg Auditorium located [...]
U.S. Senate Candidates Mertens, Mosler, and Gubernatorial Candidate Marsh, Agree to Free and Equal Debate in Connecticut.
STORRS, Conn. — Connecticut U.S. Senate candidates John Mertens of the Connecticut for Lieberman Party and Warren Mosler of the Independent Party have agreed to participate in an all-inclusive candidate debate, Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at the University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus. The event will run from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. EDT in the Student [...]
Statewide and National Organizations Join Coalition in Support of Prop 19, to Legalize Cannabis in California.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Today, nine very diverse groups and political parties emerged to announce that they stand strongly in support of Proposition 19, the initiative to legalize, tax and regulate cannabis throughout California. The Green Party of California, Peace and Freedom Party of California, Republican Liberty Caucus of California (RLCCA), Progressive Libertarian Caucus, National Black [...]
All-Inclusive Candidate Debates Soon to Take Place Coast to Coast: Foundation Leads the Way to Freedom, Equality and Information in U.S. Electoral Processes.
Prompted by the continued exclusion of minor party and independent candidates from debates nationwide, The Free and Equal Elections Foundation pushes ahead toward the primary objective of open and inclusive political debates for all candidates. In order to help voters and potential voters make their voices heard on this issue, Free and Equal has launched [...]
California Gubernatorial Candidates, Activists to Discuss All-Inclusive Debates and Proposition 19 – Sushi, Sake, Socialize Fundraiser Benefiting The Free and Equal Elections Foundation
MILL VALLEY, Calif. – Third party California gubernatorial candidates and activists continue to fight the systematic muzzling of alternative voices and choices during this and every election season, and will publicly discuss the entrenched policy of exclusion at a fundraiser for the Free and Equal Elections Foundation. Candidates Carlos Alvarez of California’s Peace and Freedom [...]
Video from Oct 6 Press Conference
You can watch the video of Free & Equal’s Oct 6 Press Conference, held at the West Steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento, here: You need to install or upgrade Flash Player to view this content, install or upgrade by clicking here. //
Third Party California Gubernatorial Candidates to Speak about Proposition 19 and the Vital Need for All-Inclusive Candidate Debates, Democratic and Republican Candidates Remain Silent.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, which will be brought before California voters November 2, has quickly gained momentum and jumped to the forefront of California and national political issues. California gubernatorial candidates Carlos Alvarez of California’s Peace and Freedom Party, Chelene Nightingale of the Constitution Party, [...]
John Mertens to Use Multimedia Technology to Debate Candidates Despite Exclusion from the Official Debate, October 4th.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Despite earning a ballot line in the 2010 U.S. Senate Race in Connecticut, Dr. John Mertens is not invited to participate in the first post-primary U.S. Senate debate, in New Haven, Conn., Monday, October 04, 2010 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., but Mertens has found a way around this roadblock. Using [...]
University and Media Hosted Debates Continue to Exclude Alternative Candidates Despite Responsibility to Maintain a Free Marketplace of Ideas.
Southwestern Community College Goes One Step Further, Censors Student Journalists. SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Universities and media outlets across California are excluding alternative candidates from participating in the debates they sponsor. The September 28 debate held at the University of California at Davis and co-sponsored by The Sacramento Bee included Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman, but [...]
Free & Equal releases footage from California Proposition 19 press conference
On Tuesday, September 21, Free & Equal Chair Christina Tobin spoke at a press conference in support of California Proposition 19, which would legalize, tax and regulate marijuana in California. Also speaking were former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson, Yes on 19 Field Coordinator James Rigdon, and Gerald Murray, national youth coordinator for Costa [...]
The Free and Equal Elections Foundation and State Caucus, Kentucky for Free and Equal Elections, to Host Statewide Candidate Forum and Freedom Rally on Saturday.
Frankfort, Ky. – The Free and Equal Elections Foundation and its state caucus, Kentucky for Free and Equal Elections, will host a statewide candidate forum and freedom rally on the front steps of the capitol building at 700 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, Ky., Saturday, September 25, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. The candidate forum will be the [...]
Houston Corporate Bigwig, Bill King Spreads Disinformation about Top Two Primary Systems
HOUSTON – Houston corporate bigwig Bill King recently wrote an article for the Houston Tribune which repeated much of the disinformation about Top Two primary systems. King’s first misrepresentation is his claim that third party candidates are unlikely to place first or second in a primary and “would rarely be represented on the November ballot.” [...]
California Superior Court Judge Upheld Key Parts of State Senate Bill 6, Maintaining Voter Disenfranchisement
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On the heels of Lisa Murkowski’s declared write-in candidacy for re-election to U.S. Senate, a California judge interpreted state law to mean that write-in space should be removed from the ballot. Superior Court Judge Charlotte Woolard rejected a challenge to state Senate Bill 6, the “enabling legislation” for Proposition 14, the Top [...]
Christina Tobin to Host Proposition 19 Press Conference in Oakland, Tuesday Morning.
Speakers Include Tobin, Gary Johnson, James Rigdon and Gerald Murray. MILL VALLEY, Calif., – Christina Tobin, founder and chair of The Free and Equal Elections Foundation, today announced she will host a press conference in support of Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010. The press conference will take place at [...]
