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Ballot Petitions and Independent Candidates

Breaking the stranglehold the two major parties hold on our political system requires electing non-partisan Independent candidates to State Houses and Congress. The only way to place an Independent on the ballot is through a process known as Ballot Petitions.

Overview: The Ballot Petition Process

While specific rules and requirements vary by state, in general, the Ballot Petition Process requires a candidate to:

  1. File a Petition Request to run for office with the state’s Secretary of State.
  2. Obtain the required number of petition signatures from district or state registered voters.
  3. Present completed petitions to the Office of Elections or Secretary of State for verification and completion.
  4. Where applicable, pay a filing fee.

The state may require petitions to be verified by County Voter Registrars before being submitted to the State offices for application. Not all states charge. All states have stringent deadlines that vary.

Getting It Done: Collecting Signatures

It appears to be a daunting task to organize a ballot petition signature drive, but motivated citizens can get this done – and quickly.

Two types of volunteers are needed:

  • Collectors: Teams of associates tasked with gathering 20 to 100 signatures each.
  • Coordinators: Area Leaders who coordinate with teams in specific areas to facilitate the collection of signatures. They serve as central figures to streamline the compilation of completed petition forms.

Teams gather signatures from various sources, such as coworkers, students, or high-traffic areas. With multiple teams, the goal is quickly achieved.

Area Leaders coordinate events, collect Ballot Petition packets, and facilitate the submission process for candidates. They also have the flexibility to lead teams as necessary.

Reasons for Signing Ballot Petitions

Our government is great, but it can be better. Money and partisanship have weakened our two parties, and the system has become a quagmire.

We have a chance to topple several candidates this year due to the nation’s dissatisfaction with the two parties’ presidential choices. We should act now to prevent these two candidates from becoming president (See NotBidenNotTrump.org) and reform our legislators.

Signing ballot petitions for Coalition of Independent Voters (CIV)-backed independent candidates for November:

Sends a very loud, clear signal to both major parties that the People are actively looking for change – Real Change.

Sends a very loud, clear signal to both major parties that spending lots of money from heavyweight donors seeking influence (the Swamp) won’t be tolerated.

Sends a loud clear message that the campaign to place new, Independent officials in races all across the country has just started.

In Closing

The difficulties facing our nation go beyond a Presidential election. Simply replacing the President doesn’t address our core challenges.

Independent candidates who aren’t beholden to large money can reduce money’s power in politics. This would show that Americans value integrity over money.

If Independents win, Democrats and Republicans will realize they must serve the people again. Voters’ ultimate Check and Balance power by voting out incumbents is the best way to get parties’ attention.

Please browse our websites for 5–10 minutes of your time. If the content does resonate, we would ask you to get involved. This is a movement to transform American politics for the better.

Thank you,

Scott A. Rappoport

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