The March 28 Birmingham News has this editorial, in support of Senator Cam Ward’s SB 15, which eases ballot access for newly-qualifying parties and independent candidates. This newspaper has been a strong supporter of easier ballot access for many years now.
The editorial mistakenly says statewide independent candidates need “almost 40,000 signatures” by June. Actually, the law is far worse. A statewide independent candidate this year needs 44,829 valid signatures, and the deadline has already passed. The constitutionality of that law is pending in U.S. District Court in a case called Stein v Chapman.
SB 15 has been placed on the Senate Special Order Calendar for Tuesday, April 3rd. However this action does not automatically mean passage. Advocates for fairer ballot access laws in Alabama (as SB 15 will provide) still need to appeal to all of Alabama’s Senators for a “yes” both on this bill.
Janet Von Gal of the Alabama Senate is more than willing to forward a generic email from supporters of this bill to the offices of the individual senators. Her email address is:
Emails should be simply addressed to “Dear Senator” and should be polite but briefly ask for the senator’s support for this bill. The email should also be listed with the supporters name and a telephone number given.
Remember, these senators will not support any legislation if they don’t think there is support for it. Even if you have already sent an email in support, send another one. This is the best chance Alabamians have had in many decades to get a fair ballot access law. Let’s not let this chance slip through our fingers.
For some reason, the software is not picking up the Alabama Senate email address of Jane Von Gal. I will retype and hope it comes through this time. janet.vongal@alsenate.gov
Don I am also sent Huntsville times an email asking that they release their support editorial for ballot access. I am hope Montgomery Advertiser will do the same.
I did receive a positive response from Senator Phill Williams.
The laague of woman voters have also came out in support of this bill. This group has supported minor party candidates in the past.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/alabama-citizens-for-ballot-access-bill-sb15/signatures
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