Alabama State Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) has introduced two bills to improve ballot access for minor parties and independent candidates. SB 15 would reduce petitions for a previously unqualified party from 3% of the last gubernatorial vote to 5,000 signatures, for statewide status. A party that wished to qualify in only part of the state would need a petition of 1.5% of the last gubernatorial vote in that particular district. SB 15 also reduces the number of signatures for non-presidential independent candidates from 3% to 1.5% (the independent presidential petition is already 5,000 signatures, and the bill would not change that).
SB 55 would eliminate all mandatory ballot access petitions, if the previously unqualified party or independent candidate paid a filing fee. The fee would be 2% of the office’s annual salary. The fee for presidential candidates would be capped at $5,000. Thanks to Joshua Cassity for this news.
Great news – And he’s a pretty good goalie too!
Hope they pass.
Both are good bills. While I prefer SB55 over SB15 I am hoping the Legislature will feel that SB15 is the best they can do for us and and support it. No guarantee, of course, but there is always hope.
Joshua Cassity implied to me in an email of some weeks ago he would take the leadership of rallying support for these bills. (Correct me Joshua if I misunderstood you). But all need to show we really want either of these bills by not only contacting their legislators, but write letters to editors of newspapers, and others who might help fight for this long overdue reform. The Legislators are not going to be motivated unless they see support for either of these bills.
“Joshua Cassity implied to me in an email of some weeks ago he would take the leadership of rallying support for these bills. (Correct me Joshua if I misunderstood you).” What I also meant to write in the other email is that if Joshua will take the lead in this, let us all get behind him. Joshua has my support even though where I see opportunity to work as an individual for the bills, I will do so. All efforts for these bills will show the Legislators we want them addressed.
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Anyone know which legislators may be on the fence?
Paulie says, I don’t know which legislators may be on the fence on this. We need to start contacting the Senate Elections Committee members first. If you will, send me your phone number again so we might talk. I’ve misplaced it that you provided earlier.
I as the State Chairman of Conservative Party (Alabama)have had several articles published in the Birmingham news had a piece published in our National Party Newsletter + spoken at events regularly on the Ballot access issues we face in Alabama.
This is the first I am seeing on the details on this particular Bill and I will contact Cam on this ASAP. If this is indeed accurate on the specifics of this Bill I can assure you Conservative Party (Alabama) will take a very aggressive and visible stance in support of the passage of this Bill.
Richard Rutledge
Chairman Conservative party (Alabama)