The first week in August, the New Jersey Green, Libertarian and Conservative Parties will file a constitutional lawsuit in state court. The lawsuit will challenge a law that makes it illegal for petitioners to circulate a petition for a candidate for district or county office, if the petitioners don’t live in that district or county.
The lawsuit will also challenge the failure of New Jersey elections officials to tally how many voters register as members of the Conservative Party (the other parties in the lawsuit already won that right years ago, but the state won’t extend that right to any parties other than the ones that won the old registration lawsuit in 1999).
Finally, the lawsuit will challenge election laws that make it easier for the Republican and Democratic Parties to raise and spend money, than any other parties; and the make it easier for the two major parties to lobby the legislature, than for other parties to do so.
Isn’t the current leadership of the Jesse Ventura inspired American Reform Party based in New Jersey ?????
Out of context, an “equal protection” legal action appears worthwhile; however, the third parties in New Jersey (unless they can get free and attentive legal counsel to prosecute the matter) shouldn’t be spending their time and treasure on such things. They would be far better off spending all of their time and money finding, training and running candidates with clear, concise and professional messages that might attract more loyalty and affiliation amoung the voting public.
Trying to even the playing field before you assemble a competitive team is another example of placing the proverbial cart before the horse.
Even if the 3rd parties win these actions, what will it gain them?
I agree that the Alternative Parties should brand together and attempt to get votes with clear and concise messages. But the lawsuits and publicity on how campaigns are done should be brought to the attention of the general public.
I agree for the need to get access. However, this should be step one. We also need to get voters out of the mindset that if you vote for an independent, third party, or write-in candidate, you’re wasting your vote. People are still conditioned to having to vote for the lesser of two evils.
Another thing that I’d like to see is direct election of the president by popular vote. The New York Times opposes this because it would encourage third parties. Isn’t that what we need right now?
The Green Party, Communist Party, etc. should push their agenda at every opportunity they can get. But, their messages should NOT be concise. The Demopubs and all the so-called political “experts” who claim that political messages should be “concise” do not understand the concept that
1) life is complex — these issues are complex
2) the reason that the world is in such terrible shape is precisely BECAUSE politicians live on sound bytes
3) if you keep preaching to the the weak parties that they should do this or they should not do that — an endless litany of constraints — then it’s your own fault if weak parties gain power by using any violent methods necessary. No one has a right to preach that “freedom isn’t free”, and then complain about “terrorists” who use military force and tactics to fight for freedom.
For me, the Alternative Parties are every party except Republicans, Democrats, the Extreme Left and Extreme Right.
No serious political activist should care about outdated, meaningless labels such as “extreme”, “left”, or “right”.
Secondly, it is only a subjective individual’s opinion as to what qualifies a political position as “extreme”. Finally, an “extreme” position does not mean that it is wrong or should not be implemented. Majority opinion should not determine what is “extreme”. Majority of effect should determine what is “extreme”: e.g. putting someone in jail for 20 years for growing pot is extreme. Pure and simple. Doesn’t matter whether a majority of voters or citizens or the world’s population agrees or disagrees with drug legalization. It’s the imprisoned person who suffers the majority of effect.
Likewise, suing to rectify discriminatory election regulations is a good start but it is not nearly enough. Physical military force to overthrow election regimes in New Jersey is needed. Those who do not choose to fight for their state should be allowed not to. But, neither should they have the right to demoralize those who do. They should be praised as patriotic heroes.
I believe that these third parties are doing the right thing, now all they have to do is get the government to make proportional representation law.
Reform has to start somewhere,and in this day and age every body says “Do it within the confines of the law” so,that is what these folks are trying to do,use the “legal system” to make a change,the alternative to this is “illegal”(according to the powers that be)and that would be physicily throwing the govt out,which by the way is a constitutionally guaranteed “Right” Those folks who are content with the status quo, do not negate the rights of the other people to shake things up and revamp the govt,more people should get involved and quit behaving as if everything in politics is fine as long as I am content,this is not what the framers had in mind,remember,if they can deny these political groups their say,they will deny you yours,take a hard look around at what is happening (from the highest to the local) in political circles to civil rights and just plain common decentcy and then tell yourself its okay,I pray you won’t!