This Associated Press article by AP reporter Travis Loller gives an unusually comprehensive account of Tennessee’s history of hostility toward minor parties. It also reveals that there is still no decision on whether the Libertarian Party’s nominee for Governor this year will be on with the ballot label “independent” or “Libertarian.”
A good article. Still, I can’t see how anyone can find fault that allows a candidate to get on the ballot for a statewide office with only 25 signatures. I wish we had it that easy in Alabama.
I still content that most people vote for the person, even if they will only vote for a Republican or Democrat. Until 3rd partisans can get the current laws successfully challenged (and I hope it doesn’t result in the unintended consequences of giving the Tennessee Legislature motivation to increase the current independent candidate requirements) 3rd party candidates need to use the independent route and promote the candidacy not the party. If the voters like what you say as a candidate, they’ll find your name on the ballot .
According to Politics1.com, there is at least one independent running for Congress from all but one of Tennessee’s congressional districts. This, plus the 3 or 4 independents who are running for U.S. Senate.
If I were 20 years younger, and in better health than I am today, I’d be tempted to go to Tennesseee and organize a Tennessee Independent Party, knowing that we could get all nine congressional districts plus the U.S. Seat with an independent candidate affiliated with a so-called TIP with only 250 signatures total. What a deal that would be.
As I wrote earlier, most people vote for the person. And unless there is a law in Tennessee (or a federal law) which forbids an independent candidate from being associated or affiliated with a 3rd party of the same name (and vice-versa) those independents could unite and perhaps make a good showing at each electon.
Oh well, guess I should have been born and raised in Tennessee as I might still be promoting that idea today. But, seriously, wouldn’t change the fact I was born somewhere else, as most likely would not have the loving wife, two great sons, and four wonderful grandkids.
But it doesn’t hurt for an ole political fighter to live out his last years (God Willing)doing a little wishful dreaming.
The issue is that the government, with its two major political parties, are in collusion to restrict another brand name(s) from being marketed to the citizens of Tennessee. The GOP is the lead dog in the suppression of voting and restraint of trade (minor parties) in most cases around the United States.
Even higher, it supplies coupons and day by day offers
on well being foods at native grocery stores to encourage you to alter
the way you shop.
In 68 George Wallace won second place in Tennessee.So there is hope .The backwards country people buy into the misinformation by Trump Campaign.T he smart educated people vote their conscious.