Pennsylvania State Representative Kerry A. Benninghoff, a Republican from Bellefonte, has sent a short written letter to Ballot Access News. It says he has introduced a bill to abolish mandatory ballot access petitions, and use filing fees instead. The letter says, “Petitions are an insider’s ‘ball game’ used to throw candidates off the ballot.”
The bill doesn’t seem to have a bill number yet. The Pennsylvania legislature has 2-year sessions, so any bills introduced this month can be taken up in 2008.
This seems like a good idea so long as it’s implemented correctly.
The filing fee shouldn’t be more than the expenses the state undertakes for placing the candidate’s name on the ballot.
The Supremes ruled in the 1970s that filing fees only violated the rights of poor candidates.
REMEDY – EQUAL petitions for ALL candidates for the SAME office in the SAME area.
Way too difficult for MORON incumbents.
I like the system where you can choose between either gathering petition signatures or paying a filing fee.
Great Idea. Time to get the 2 party system out of control and give the control back to “THE PEOPLE”.
God Bless,
Jason Bootie