Taylor Haynes will run as a write-in candidate for Governor of Wyoming. See this story. Earlier he tried to become the first independent candidate for that office listed on the ballot since 1958, but his petition drive fell short. He needed signatures of 2% of the vote cast in 2008, which is 4,988 signatures.
Now he has announced that he will be a write-in candidate. He is well-known in Wyoming. He is a rancher and a retired surgeon, and he is almost certainly the first black candidate for Governor of Wyoming. He enjoys the support of the Constitution Party, which is well-organized in Wyoming even though it failed to get on the ballot this year as well.
The largest write-in vote ever in a Wyoming statewide general election was 4,625, received by Ralph Nader in November 2000.
In Wyoming, there may have been a state-mandated “starting date” before the candidate could start collecting signatures. Obtaining slightly under 5000 signatures does not seem too much for a serious candidate – even in a state as small as Wyoming.
And this is my point. Often Independent or 3rd party candidates will wait too late to start collecting signatures. Unless the law prohibits otherwise, such candidates should start collecting signatures at least 2 years before the election.
Of course, filing fees for Independent and 3rd party candidates is really the only fair way.
It was only after the results of the Republican primary were known that he decided to run. The primary was August 17.
Thanks, Richard.
My original point was well made. 3rd partisans and Independents have got to stop this nonsense of waiting to see what the Democrats and Repubicans do. Sounds like this Mr. Haynes is a “closet Republican” anyway. Serves him right.