New York doesn’t permit independent candidates, and the nominees of unqualified parties, to start circulating petitions until July 7. Ralph Nader’s petition in New York will carry the ballot label “Populist”. The logo will be a buffalo.
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Today was the last day for anyone in Illinois to file an objection to a petition filed by an independent candidate, or the petition of a previously unqualified or new party. No one challenged any of the four petitions turned in for president. Those petitions were for the Libertarian, Constitution and New Parties, and Ralph Nader as an independent.
The Libertarian and Constitution Parties also have a candidate for U.S. Senate listed on their petitions. The Constitution statewide petition only has 300 signatures on it. However, under Illinois rules, that is enough, given that no one challenged.
The New Party turned in a petition form that had the top part filled out correctly, listing John Joseph Polachek as its presidential candidate. It listed no one for vice-president and no one for U.S. Senate, and has zero signatures. But because no one challenged, it is also now valid. Illinois law allows substitution, so if John Joseph Polachek does not wish to actually run for president, he and the substitution committee are free to choose someone else for president, and anyone they wish for vice-president.
The two Libertarian candidates for U.S. House were challenged, as was independent U.S. House candidate Allan Stevo.
Rock the Debates has been fighting to persuade the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates to agree to at least one general election presidential debate that includes presidential candidates who could theoretically win the election. See www.rockthedebates.org. The group’s activists hold a conference call approximately twice a month. The group is seeking to expand, and particularly wants to have an official representative of the Constitution and Green presidential campaigns. Contact Bob Sullentrup at rwsully@charter.net, or 636-946-3227, if you want to be part of Rock the Debates.
To see the film of George Stephanopoulos interviewing Ralph Nader on June 29, use this link.
To see the film of George Stephanopoulos interviewing Ralph Nader on June 29, use this link.