Got this idea from reading an entry by Richard Winger on his ballot access news website: For the states in which ballot access is nearly impossible, try persuading your state reps to offer access via either signatures or paying a fee. With states running in the red, a few thousand dollars here and there won't hurt. Plus, counting the votes is easier (and less costly) if people are on the ballot as opposed to write-in.

Frankly, even substantial filing fees are cheaper than ballot access petition drives. It is a great idea to point out to state legislators that paying the money to the state that would otherwise be paid to petition circulators makes sense for everyone (except for the "hired guns" who make a living circulating petitions).

From my understanding it was all about signatures and the will of the people but yeah I can see exploiting their deficit situation a bit.

I find it hard to believe that any republicrats would let any third party candidats buy there way in. Worth a try yes. realistic ?

There is always torches and pitchforks.

Since Freedom is a popular buzzword, if your state has high hurdles to overcome, try writing your legislator and persuade him/her to draw up a Voter Freedom Act and put your state's name in front of it. Offering an either-or scenario may help, such as "2,000 signatures or $5,000". Since ballot access via signatures costs both time and money, it may be chealer just to pay the fee. However, the potential bill, it can be argued, does not discriminate on income levels since the individual could obtain the signatures as opposed to paying the access fee.

The Constitution party motto is "Principle above Politics". Our Constitution states our rights to vote. Our right to vote was purchased with the blood of our forefathers. We don't need to buy voting rights. That is the current evil and corrupt "two-party" political system practice that causes us to suffer in this awful condition now. What we need to do is review and ENFORCE our First Amendment!
Pat

Your right. In penna. our constitution calls for free and equal elections. We have nothing of the sort.

(03-03-2009 11:57 PM)ptrewitt Wrote:  The Constitution party motto is "Principle above Politics". Our Constitution states our rights to vote. Our right to vote was purchased with the blood of our forefathers. We don't need to buy voting rights. That is the current evil and corrupt "two-party" political system practice that causes us to suffer in this awful condition now. What we need to do is review and ENFORCE our First Amendment!
Pat

The Constitution leaves the balloting process to the States, though.