Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) has introduced SB 17. It lowers the number of signatures for statewide independent candidates from 3% of the last gubernatorial vote, to 1.5% of the last gubernatorial vote. It makes no change to the procedures for new or previously unqualified parties. Also, it has no effect on the independent presidential candidate petition, which is already substantially easier than the procedures for independent candidates for other office. And it has no effect on independent candidates for district or county office.
Alabama and New Mexico are tied for having the most severe petition requirements for statewide non-presidential independent candidates. Those two states are the only two states in which the statewide independent non-presidential petition is greater than 2% of the last vote cast. Since Alabama set this requirement at 3% in 1995, no independent candidate for statewide office has ever used the requirement. Thanks to Joshua Cassity for the news.
Richard: I am most diappointed in Senator Ward. He led me to believe he would offer more options. Even with this bill, it keeps the 3% requirement for local Independent candidates. This is no help to those who want to run for Congress as the gentleman from the Birmingham area wanted ot in 2008 or 2010 who had to actually get more than 5,000 signatures – more than is required for an Independent Presidential candidate. Only those Independent candidates running for statewide need only 1.5% of the vote last cast for governor. Some help, but still very disappointed.
Separate is NOT equal – in ALL States, north, south, east, west 24/7
Brown v. Bd of Ed 1954
What ballot access lawyers have ANY BBE brain cells ???
I have exchanged several emails with Sen. Ward. He has assured me that the bill will be amended to include minor/third parties and legislator races. There is some reluctance to include county races at this time. Sen. Ward is not opposed to county access but states the bill would lose some support doing so.
This is my first post on ballot access but I urge you all to work with Sen. Ward. With expected opposition from both duopolies, Sen. Ward has asked for support in lobbying the committee members. I will post this list shortly with phone numbers and emails.
Thank you,
Joshua Cassity
Chairman
Constitution party of Alabama
http://www.cpalabama.org
jcassity@cpalabama.org
John Cassity. Thanks for also contacting Senator Ward. He appears helpful, but like you wrote, we must contact ALL the legislators – not just one or two. The last time he introduced an election bill to help 3rd parties and/or independents, members of the elections committee told him no one had contacted them in its behalf. They are not motivated if we are not.
I’ll also be in contact with you later off post here. Thanks for providing your email address.
Josh,
Please CC contact.ipr@gmail.com on that. I’ll post this article on IPR, but might as well wait until I can include the contact info with that.
-p
415.690.6352
This bill will begin in both chambers in the Constitution-Elections committees. I have a list of the committee members and their contact information. If anyone needs a copy, do not be hesitant to contact me.
Alabama Independent is the Alabama group still meeting?
Paulie long time no see! In Tuscaloosa? CC:// email sent
Joshua Cassity. I think you’re confusing “An Alabama Independent” with a group known as “Independent Alabama” or something like that. They were too “liberal” for me. Don’t even know if they are around any longer.
I appreciate all you and the Constitution Party is doing for this bill. I hope to have a website up and running soon helping with this objective. We’ve put up with “run around” long enough from these Alabama politicians. I have hope the GOP dominated Alabama Legislature might be a little more fairer, but only time will tell.
If they give us the shaft too, then I think the time has come for the CP of Alabama and other like-minded groups in Alabama to form a coalition and obtain ballot position under the current discrimantory laws and run candidates against them all. You can count on “An Alabama Independent” to join with you.
“Paulie long time no see! In Tuscaloosa? CC:// email sent”
Got it, thanks. I’m feeling tired, will probably put IPR post up tomorrow.
Yes, I’m in Tuscaloosa right now. If you’re up this way give me a call, we can grab lunch or something. I still don’t have a car.
““Independent Alabama” or something like that. They were too “liberal” for me. Don’t even know if they are around any longer.”
Independent Alabama is not an ideological group, it’s a group that works on issues like ballot access and unites people of all ideologies who want to open up the process. I have tried to get them to be active again with no luck.
Josh, wanna help revive it?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndependentAlabama/
I don’t get yahoo groups messages over email, so CC me separately or call me if anything happens with that.
Alabama independent
For us to ever obtain true ballot access it is going to take us sitting down with the leaders of groups that may be very liberal and groups that may be infested with neo-cons. Just so you know I support free and equal access for all parties not just my CP. (I have signed Green Party petitions and some from my whacky cohorts in the Libertarian Party)
If we are to every have free access in Alabama it will take all the groups coming together, (leave the politics at the door) and working out a comprehensive plan of pestering our legislators. It may be faxing them 500 times a day, calling them a thousand times a week, or showing up at every speaking engagement. his is not something the CP can not do by ourselves.
PAULIE
I and SK are fixing to start petitioning for countywide in 2012. I am hoping to run a slate of county commissioners.
I say we start an entire new group—2 or 3 from each minor party—invite all independent candidates who ran in the past 10 years and organize a PAC to raise money to fight. I will be glad to help out but could not chair it.
Do you want go back to south Mobile? I need 291 signatures for the special election in HD 105. You can ride with me and I may even bail you out of you go to jail. I need a backup plan if my candidate is running short.
Cassity
“I say we start an entire new group—2 or 3 from each minor party—invite all independent candidates who ran in the past 10 years and organize a PAC to raise money to fight. I will be glad to help out but could not chair it.”
That’s fine too but what’s wrong with using a group that’s already started?
“Do you want go back to south Mobile? I need 291 signatures for the special election in HD 105. You can ride with me”
When? I could do it now but I’m not sure how long I’ll be here.
To Paulie Says & Joshua Cassity.
Yes, we need a PAC of some type. I hope it’s more successful than the one I attempted some 3 or 4 years ago. Called it the Alabama Coalition for Free and Open Elections, but no one seemed interested. The name is free to use if anyone wants to take it.
Yes, Joshua, I understand we will have to reach out to liberal parties also. (This was not what I was referring to with the group Independent Alabama by my comment “they were too liberal for me.”)
With you being the leader of the most prominent 3rd party in Alabama, I would suggest you take the liberty of establishing such a PAC and assume temporary leadership until those interested can meet, organize, and we all go from there.
Keep me posted.
An Alabama Independent Says,
“Yes, we need a PAC of some type. I hope it’s more successful than the one I attempted some 3 or 4 years ago. Called it the Alabama Coalition for Free and Open Elections, but no one seemed interested. The name is free to use if anyone wants to take it. ”
This is the first time I remember ever hearing about it.
Pingback: Alabama Ballot Access Bill Introduced | Independent Political Report
Via above IPR post
“The 2011 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature shall commence at Noon, on the first Tuesday of March, 2011. A Regular Session may consist of no more than 30 Legislative Days within the framework of a 105-calendar day period.
Independent Alabama is planning on having a meeting soon, although no definite date has been set. ”
I have the committee contact info from Josh and the text of the 2010 bill from Mike Rster posted at IPR.
Pingback: Alabama Ballot Access Bill Introduced | Daily Libertarian
“That’s fine too but what’s wrong with using a group that’s already started?”
Is the group pro-active and willing to do something more than drink coffee? I have so many in my party who are followers and a handful willing to work. If the leadership in the group is active, it may work for me.
“When? I could do it now but I’m not sure how long I’ll be here.” I am looking at the first weekend in March
“With you being the leader of the most prominent 3rd party in Alabama, I would suggest you take the liberty of establishing such a PAC and assume temporary leadership until those interested can meet, organize, and we all gofrom there.”
I will be willing to particpate and temporary chair but to avoid in conflicts with my LP friends and other parties the group would need to be chaired by an independent person.
Joshua. Just set a place and time, notify all Alabama 3rd parties and groups via BAN, and hope many can and will show up. From the initial meeting, a temporary organization can be put together with temporary officers. Unless it’s a date that I’m already permanently committed, I’ll attempt to be there. Weekends will be best, as I have to work weekdays.
This is not rocket science. Just someone step to the plate and set the place and time for the 1st meeting.