Secretary of State recognizes Ohio Green Party as an official minor party.
| By Dennis Spisak - Jan 4th, 2010 at 6:42 am EST |
Secretary of State recognizes Ohio Green Party as an official minor party.
In 2008, a federal court ruling declared Ohio's election system unconstitutional on the grounds of unfair discrimination towards minor party candidates. In order to remedy these constitutional
concerns the Ohio Secretary of State will be issuing a directive recognizing the rights of Green Party candidates to fairly participate in Ohio's elections and grant us temporary recognition as a political party for the May primary election. Pending ratification of our party's organizational plan at the upcoming Green Party State Convention and approval by the Secretary of State the Green Party will achieve legal status as a minor party in the electoral process.
For the first time ever Ohio Greens will be able to go to their polling place and vote for Green Party candidates in the upcoming May 4, 2010 primary election. At the primary election the Green Party Primary ballot will offer Ohioans a slate of candidates running for public office and for positions as state and county party committee members.
What this means in short is that you can now walk into your polling place on Primary Election Day, ask for a Green Party Primary Ballot, and vote for Green candidates for state and local office as well as Green candidates for the state and county party central committees. Voting in the Green Primary will make you a member of the Green Party.
Moreover, the requirements to get your own name on the ballot as a candidate for public and party office have been drastically altered making it much easier to participate as a candidate for a newly formed minor party. The Green Party needs members, leaders, organizers, and candidates throughout the state. We strongly urge those of you who want Green values represented in our government to run for an office either as a public servant or a local party leader. If you are interested in becoming a member, running for office or establishing a local Green Party in your area contact us now.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What does it take to make real political change?
It takes people who have Green priorities and are willing to build the progressive alternative America wants.
The Green Party of Ohio invites you to find out more. Vote in the Green Party Primary Election at you polling place on May 4, 2010 or become a Green Party candidate for public or party office. The Green Party State Committee is currently contacting Greens throughout the state to discuss this exciting news. Expect to hear from one of the committee members soon. If you would like to become involved respond to OGP Secretary or OGP Candidate Committee or call 740-502-6453 with the following information:
Your name
Your address
Your local school district
Your phone number
For a Greener Future, Vote Green!
Tim Kettler, Secretary, Green Party of Ohio
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Campaigns
Petitioners needed
The Ohio Green Party currently has candidates in two races: Dennis Spisak is running for Governor and shares the ticket with Anita Rios running as Lt. Governor. Vaughn Stull of Urichsville will be a candidate for Ohio Representative in House District 61
In order to get on the ballot candidates must demonstrate support from the voting public by gathering signatures on petitions which must be submitted to the Ohio Secretary of State by 4pm, February 18, 2010. The Governor's race requires 500 valid signatures while the position of Ohio Representative requires 25.
We are actively recruiting more candidates for all state and local races and foresee the need to establish a statewide network of volunteer petitioners.
You may circulate petitions for the Green Party if you meet the following qualifications:
1. You are a registered voter who has not voted in a primary for another party in 2008
2. You are a newly registered voter.
3. You are not registered to vote.
4. You are an out of state resident.
If you meet these qualifications and are interested in getting Greens on the ballot for the governor's race contact spikespisak@aol.com or call (330)-503-1407. For other races or for questions about petitioning contact OGP Secretary or call (740)-502-6453.
In 2008, a federal court ruling declared Ohio's election system unconstitutional on the grounds of unfair discrimination towards minor party candidates. In order to remedy these constitutional
concerns the Ohio Secretary of State will be issuing a directive recognizing the rights of Green Party candidates to fairly participate in Ohio's elections and grant us temporary recognition as a political party for the May primary election. Pending ratification of our party's organizational plan at the upcoming Green Party State Convention and approval by the Secretary of State the Green Party will achieve legal status as a minor party in the electoral process.
For the first time ever Ohio Greens will be able to go to their polling place and vote for Green Party candidates in the upcoming May 4, 2010 primary election. At the primary election the Green Party Primary ballot will offer Ohioans a slate of candidates running for public office and for positions as state and county party committee members.
What this means in short is that you can now walk into your polling place on Primary Election Day, ask for a Green Party Primary Ballot, and vote for Green candidates for state and local office as well as Green candidates for the state and county party central committees. Voting in the Green Primary will make you a member of the Green Party.
Moreover, the requirements to get your own name on the ballot as a candidate for public and party office have been drastically altered making it much easier to participate as a candidate for a newly formed minor party. The Green Party needs members, leaders, organizers, and candidates throughout the state. We strongly urge those of you who want Green values represented in our government to run for an office either as a public servant or a local party leader. If you are interested in becoming a member, running for office or establishing a local Green Party in your area contact us now.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What does it take to make real political change?
It takes people who have Green priorities and are willing to build the progressive alternative America wants.
The Green Party of Ohio invites you to find out more. Vote in the Green Party Primary Election at you polling place on May 4, 2010 or become a Green Party candidate for public or party office. The Green Party State Committee is currently contacting Greens throughout the state to discuss this exciting news. Expect to hear from one of the committee members soon. If you would like to become involved respond to OGP Secretary or OGP Candidate Committee or call 740-502-6453 with the following information:
Your name
Your address
Your local school district
Your phone number
For a Greener Future, Vote Green!
Tim Kettler, Secretary, Green Party of Ohio
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Campaigns
Petitioners needed
The Ohio Green Party currently has candidates in two races: Dennis Spisak is running for Governor and shares the ticket with Anita Rios running as Lt. Governor. Vaughn Stull of Urichsville will be a candidate for Ohio Representative in House District 61
In order to get on the ballot candidates must demonstrate support from the voting public by gathering signatures on petitions which must be submitted to the Ohio Secretary of State by 4pm, February 18, 2010. The Governor's race requires 500 valid signatures while the position of Ohio Representative requires 25.
We are actively recruiting more candidates for all state and local races and foresee the need to establish a statewide network of volunteer petitioners.
You may circulate petitions for the Green Party if you meet the following qualifications:
1. You are a registered voter who has not voted in a primary for another party in 2008
2. You are a newly registered voter.
3. You are not registered to vote.
4. You are an out of state resident.
If you meet these qualifications and are interested in getting Greens on the ballot for the governor's race contact spikespisak@aol.com or call (330)-503-1407. For other races or for questions about petitioning contact OGP Secretary or call (740)-502-6453.
Can this replace the Democrats? Or, it will probably draw people from both parties?
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner issued a directive last week continuing ballot access for the Libertarian, Green, Socialist and Constitution parties in addition to the Democratic and Republican parties.
The decision allows candidates of the four minor parties to qualify for the ballot under their party labels. Officials of the parties say they expect to have candidates for governor, Congress and other state and local offices this year.
"Democrats and Republicans "have had a monopoly on the political process for a long time, and this action ends that monopoly," said Robert M. Owens, chairman of the Constitution Party of Ohio.
"It's a great leap forward for elections in Ohio," said Tim Kettler, secretary of the Green Party of Ohio.
Experts say it's too soon to gauge the impact, especially until it's clear how many minor-party candidates file by the Feb. 18 deadline and are certified to run in the May 4 primary.
Although supporters of broader ballot access say it gives voters more options and encourages greater voter participation, critics say candidates who have little chance to win can help decide who does, in some cases.
For example, many Democrats blame Ralph Nader, running as a Green Party candidate in 2000, for taking enough votes from Democrat Al Gore to swing Florida and the presidency to Republican George W. Bush.
Closer to home, some observers think the two conservative candidates on the ballot in the 2008 race for the 15th Congressional District helped Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy edge Republican Steve Stivers.
Link