This blog is encouraging all readers to contribute to the Jerry Trudell lawsuit in Vermont. On November 14, Fairvote, a national organization which promotes proportional representation, instant runoff voting, and other alternative forms of voting, pledged $100 to the fund. The lawsuit concerns the Vermont independent candidate petition deadline. The 2009 session of the Vermont legislature moved that deadline from September to June. Trudell filed a lawsuit against the law but lost in lower state court, and he will appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court if he can raise approximately $2,500 for the transcript. If you wish to pledge, e-mail richardwinger@yahoo.com. $740 has now been pledged. No contributions are expected unless and until the pledges equal at least $2,000. The Coalition for Free & Open Elections will contribute the remainder, if the $2,000 limit is reached.