Libertarian Gary Johnson Wins First Ballot Fight; GOP to Appeal

Friends, 

 

You received an email yesterday about Gov. Johnson's fight to be on the ballot in all 50 states -- and the Republicans' efforts to keep him OFF the ballots in key states.  As you can see from the article below, the fight continues today.  We're winning, but the Republican lawyers are not giving up.  If you haven't already, go to www.garyjohnson2012.com and help us keep fighting.

 

Thanks,

 

Ryan Shattuck

 

 

Libertarian Gary Johnson Wins First Ballot Fight; GOP to Appeal

 

 

September 14, 2012

Written by Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

 

 

A Pa. Court ruled that Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson has enough petition signatures to appear on the ballot in Pennsylvania, but Republicans are expected to appeal the decision by the end of the day Friday.

 

Commonwealth Court judges sided with Johnson by a margin of 2-1 on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. They ruled that about 9,000 of the candidate’s petition signatures are valid despite the fact that voters’ home addresses from the petitions did not match the addresses listed in the voting file.

 

Two people with knowledge of the petition challenge – which has been coordinated with the Pa. Republican Party – said an appeal was in the process of being filed Friday afternoon. Both said the move is typical in such disputes; state law gives litigants a presumptive right to appeal any Commonwealth Court decision.

 

Johnson served as Governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003, and briefly sought the Republican nomination for President this year. A fiscal conservative, he supports the decriminalization of marijuana. He is scheduled to attend a rally at West Chester University in suburban Philadelphia on Monday, kicking off a national tour of college campuses.

 

Pennsylvania’s ballot access rules for 3rd party and independent candidates are among the strictest in the nation. Johnson needed 20,601 signatures for his name to appear on the ballot (his campaign turned in 49,000). Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney needed only 2,000 each.

 

Johnson is on the ballot in 47 states; challenges are pending in Pa. as well as Michigan and Oklahoma.

 

Johnson’s candidacy has worried some Republicans who fear that the fiscal conservative could siphon votes away from Romney. It could potentially cost Romney the Presidency in the case of a narrow election – particularly given the warm reception Johnson has received from disaffected supporters of former candidate Ron Paul.

 

A similar scenario played out in Florida in 2000, when Green Party candidate Ralph Nader received about 20,000 votes. Democrat Al Gore went on to lose to George W. Bush by about 500 votes.

 

Speaking of the Green Party, its nominee, Dr. Jill Stein of New York, will also appear on Pennsylvania’s ballot. Her campaign said that her petition signatures were not challenged.

 

http://www.politicspa.com/libertarian-gary-johnson-wins-first-ballot-fight-gop-to-appeal/41141/

Johnson For President - Your Right to Vote is Under Attack

Friends,

Your voting rights are under attack – by Mitt Romney and the national Republicans.

Mitt Romney doesn’t want Gov. Gary Johnson on the ballot.  It’s just that simple.

Clearly, the idea of giving voters a chance in November to vote for a presidential candidate who is serious about cutting spending, repealing the Patriot Act, ending the wars, and standing up for individual liberties is scaring the Republicans – and perhaps it should.

But rather than have a debate on these issues with Governor Johnson, the Republicans are trying to silence him.  In elections offices and courts across the country, Republican operatives and lawyers are trying to remove  Governor Johnson’s name from the ballot before the voters ever get a chance to cast their vote.  Fending off these attacks is difficult, it is unfair…..and expensive. 

You can help defend the rights of voters in those states.  Go to www.garyjohnson2012.com today.

In Virginia, one of the most difficult states in the nation to qualify for the ballot, our supporters worked long and hard to submit thousands of signatures, and election officials approved them – something not even Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich accomplished.  Nevertheless, a few days ago, the Republican Party challenged our petitions and forced us to devote precious resources to simply keeping Gov. Johnson on the ballot.  We succeeded, as you can read here: Gary Johnson Makes Virginia Ballot.  But it took a lot of time and money that could be used to buy radio and TV ads.

The same tactics are being used against Gov. Johnson in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Oklahoma, Michigan and elsewhere.  The story is the same.  Republican Party representatives and their lawyers are bringing frivolous challenges to our ballot qualifications – and making us spend our money to defend the rights of voters to support Gov. Johnson if they wish.  And they just happen to be doing so in key states where polls show Gov. Johnson gaining ground. 

Gov. Johnson needs your support to keep up the fight.

So far, we are winning these battles.  Just yesterday, an Iowa court rejected the Republicans’ challenge.  We prevailed in Virginia.  And in the past couple of days, Gov. Johnson has been placed on the ballot in both New Hampshire and Hawaii.  In all, we have qualified for the ballot in 43 states, and are committed to doing so in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 

But the fight is just beginning.  Right now, we are having to go to court in Michigan and Oklahoma, and we have heard from Republican operatives that they fully intend to try to remove Gov. Johnson from the ballot wherever they can.

So, here is what we have to do:  Based on our experience so far, we know that it will cost at least $100,000 just to fend off these frivolous ballot challenges – and that is money we HAVE to spend.  With only a month or so remaining before ballots have to be printed, we must have those funds available NOW.  Please go to www.garyjohnson2012.com and contribute whatever amount you can to make sure we can keep up the fight.  Every dollar counts.

Your support and generosity have brought us to the point where our opponents are trying everything they can to keep Gov. Johnson off the ballot.  We can’t let that happen. Not even in a single state.  While the Republicans are flying around the country and hiring the most expensive law firms in places like Des Moines and Philadelphia, our attorneys are driving from state to state and depending on great supporters to help mount our defenses. 

We’re going to win, but not without your help.  Please contribute to our “Let Us Vote” fund today at www.garyjohnson2012.com. It is essential that we raise $100,000 to keep up the fight – and keep winning.

Liberty MUST be on the ballot in November.  That’s what Governor Johnson’s campaign is about, and it starts with your help today.

Thank you for your friendship to Governor Johnson, and your support.

Gov Johnson For President - Wow

Gary Johnson Qualifies for Maine Ballot

Americans Elect Places Gov. Gary Johnson on Oklahoma Ballot

Friends,

We're already on the ballot in more than 30 states, and we’re committed to being on all 50.  Unlike any other “third party” candidate, my name is already on the ballot in more than enough states to gain 270 electoral votes – a key requirement for being included in this Fall’s debates to challenge Mitt Romney and Barack Obama on their big government plans. 

And my running mate Judge Jim Gray, and I are traveling the country at an amazing pace.  Between the two of us, we have visited 12 states in the past week, with the crowds getting larger and the local media attention increasing every day. 

Everywhere we go, our supporters are energized, working hard and proving that people who truly care about liberty and the future of this great nation CAN have an impact.  But the size of that impact depends on you.  It depends on the funding you are providing.  Thanks to more than 2,300 contributors, our Money Bomb has reached almost $200,000 over the past several days – but we are still short of our goal.   If you haven’t already, or even if you have, please go to www.garyjohnson2012.com today and help put us over the top. 

It is critical that we reach, and surpass, our $250,000 goal by Monday. We have ad buys planned and radio spots ready to go; we just need the funds to write the checks to the stations.  Your contribution will make that happen.

With fewer than 90 days left until the election, we are running at full speed.  And all over America, voters are learning that they aren’t going to have to settle for a choice between a big-government Democrat and a big-government Republican.  They are seeing that there is another choice: a true small government candidate with proven executive experience.  And I can tell you, that choice is exciting to a great many folks.

Our challenge is to make sure they know about the alternative we are offering.  Your contribution today at http://www.garyjohnson2012.com will let us reach those voters!

Thank you for your friendship, your support, and most important, your dedication to restoring liberty and economic freedom as the governing principles of this great nation.

Governor Gary Johnson

P.S. You can track our Money Bomb progress here: Wow

AMERICANS ELECT HITS HALFWAY MARK IN ITS 50 STATE BALLOT ACCESS GOAL

There is no turning back, 50-state ballot access is within reach

WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 19, 2012 - Americans Elect has secured ballot access in 25 states. Over 2.5 million people have signed petitions across the country. Demand for a third choice in November is real and Americans Elect is offering that choice. Citizens from across the political spectrum are signing up to change this election and let the people, not the parties, nominate and elect the leadership in the country.
 
“As we reach this halfway mark with certification in 25 states, it is indisputable that the train has left the station, the momentum is there and we’re rapidly heading towards our goal of 50-state ballot access,” said Elliot Ackerman, COO of Americans Elect. “Personally, I call on every American to get on board, take action and demand that our leaders seize this moment to run unencumbered by party demands, special interests and SuperPAC money fueling negative campaigns. By joining together, we can create a unity ticket that can lead with bipartisan solutions that move this country forward,” Ackerman added.
 
At AmericansElect.org every American can help reshape the political system. Every voter can participate to elect leaders they choose directly and every citizen can take part in a historic online primary in June.
 
“Today 66 percent of the American people want an independent third choice for president. It is incumbent upon the citizens of this country to take action. Go online to AmericansElect.org and support and draft candidates who are willing to set aside party politics. Together, we can rid the country of the ‘no compromise’ climate that dominates Washington today,” said Kahlil Byrd, Americans Elect CEO. “It is up to every individual in this country to take ACTION. Enough is enough. It is time for leadership that puts country before party and aspires to solve the country’s issues before personal agendas.”

 ###

Let's Make History!

Americans Elect

Perry Files Federal Court Challenge to Virginia Ballot Access Rules

Virginia voters deserve greater access to the candidate of their choosing

Texas Gov. Rick Perry today filed suit in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia challenging the constitutional validity of the Virginia statute which regulates access to the ballot by presidential candidates and limits the rights of voters to vote for the candidate of their choice. To review the filing, please visit  http://www.rickperry.org/content/uploads/2011/12/Perry-VA-Ballot-Access.pdf. 

Virginia's ballot access requirements are among the most onerous in the nation and severely restrict who may obtain petition signatures. 

"Gov. Perry greatly respects the citizens and history of the Commonwealth of Virginia and believes Virginia Republicans should have greater access to vote for one of the several candidates for President of the United States," said Perry campaign communications director Ray Sullivan.

"Virginia ballot access rules are among the most onerous and are particularly problematic in a multi-candidate election. We believe that the Virginia provisions unconstitutionally restrict the rights of candidates and voters by severely restricting access to the ballot, and we hope to have those provisions overturned or modified to provide greater ballot access to Virginia voters and the candidates seeking to earn their support."        

In 2008, 119,034 Virginians voted in the 2008 Republican Presidential Primary election. The requirement that several national candidates each obtain 10,000 individual qualified voter's signatures is unrealistic and onerous. Both voters and candidates have 1st and 14th Amendment rights to meaningfully participate in the political process. 

Provisions very similar to Virginia's prohibition on out-of-state petition circulators have been struck down in the 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th United States Circuits, relying on Buckley v. American Constitutional Law Foundation, 525 US 182 (1999). Also, ballot access requirements for unrealistic numbers of signatures was held unconstitutional in Rockefeller v. Powers, 78 F.3d 44 (2nd Cir. 1999).

The Virginia Republican Party may inform the Virginia Board of Election which candidates it seeks to have on the ballot despite the statutory ballot access requirements. Gov. Perry's suit seeks to have the Virginia statue held unconstitutional and requests the Party to have him listed on the Republican primary ballot.