Why you should care
The Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition in seeking more choices for all of us on Election Day. Current Pennsylvania law makes it difficult for independent and minor party candidates to appear on the ballot — much more difficult than in most other states. The result is less political competition, less political dialog, and fewer choices to vote for in November. The current system is simply not fair and does a great disservice to the ideal of democracy and to the voters. What you can do about it.
The trainwreck of 2006
In 2006, independent and minor party candidates were required to collect over 67,000 valid signatures simply to get on the state-wide ballot in Pennsylvania on Election Day. Legally, Democratic and Republican candidates require no signatures to get on the state-wide ballot, and even the 2,000 signatures required for the Primary Day ballot are ridiculously smaller than the virtually impossible hurdle of 67,000.
The solution
Pennsylvania law needs to be changed by the State Legislature to lower the outrageous signature requirements. The Coalition has drafted a Voters' Choice Act and is seeking sponsorship of it in the General Assembly.
Recent event: Ballot Access Rally and Appeal Hearing in Philadelphia, Monday, July 10
The appeal of the Pennsylvania ballot access lawsuit was heard at 1 PM on Monday, July 10, at the federal courthouse at 601 Market St. in Philadelphia.
The Free the Pennsylvania Three rally was held beforehand in front of 601 Market St. The Pennsylvania Three are the Constitution, Green, and Libertarian Parties, which are held to a higher standard than the Democrats and Republicans. The three minor Parties have to secure 67,000 signatures to participate in the General Election. The Democrat and Republican parties don't have to secure any signatures to participate in that same General Election. Individual major party candidates need to collect a small number of signatures to get into their Primaries, but the major parties have automatic ballot lines in the General Election.
Speaking at the rally were Ken Krawchuk, Libertarian Candidate for Governor in 2002 and a plaintiff in this suit, John Murphy, Independent candidate for the 16th Congressional district, and Marakay Rogers, Green Party candidate for Governor. Ken Krawchuk used his famous Democracy Measuring Tape to illustrate the inequities in this case.
Hearing details:
- US Court of Appeals, third circuit.
- Monday, July 10, 1 PM.
- Albert Branson Maris Memorial Courtroom, 19th floor, US Courthouse, 601 Market St, Philadelphia, Penna. 19106.
- Circuit Judges Smith, Aldisert, and Roth presiding, with Aldisert participating via videoconference.
Regardless of the appeal's outcome, it is now more important than ever for Pennsylvania citizens to demand that their state representatives support a Voters' Choice Act.
Site last updated » March 4, 2008 «