One problem with the way things are is that each state, and each county is empowered to do whatever the h*ll they want with very little awareness or oversight. The kind of awareness and oversight I’m talking about is the General Public. Y’know, in some places, when they talk about “transparency” in voting, they literally have clear voting boxes–brilliant!

The system has gotten away from us in the last few generations, but we’ve seen so many aberrations in “Normal” elections recently that more and more, we’re all waking up to the dirty fact and will not be tolerating it quietly anymore.

P.S. Judy Baker, I made that form to help me and my fellow volunteers gather information on behalf of an organization called The Longhouse Coalition. I never saw the completed 50-state spreadsheet, but could probably get it for the asking.

My process was to do a Google search for ‘elections + [the state]‘ and it would reveal the web address and oftentimes a phone number. In the beginning, I attempted to get the info from the state’s website but that quickly proved chaotic and/or unspecific, so I burned a bunch of cell phone minutes and got a much better result.

The system is designed to keep Independents and others off the ballot. There is nothing in the US Constitution that says elections shall be limited to participation in one of 2 parties. In Georgia there is no party registration. You can pull either party’s ballot on primary election day and then change back on the general election day as both party’s are listed on the ballot.

However despite all of its shortcomings I will never again consider myself a democrat because of the manner in which they allowed the current Presidential race to degenerate into race and gender bating fued.

Is it possible for this web site to give state by state requirements for getting a new party authorized.

What is needed is a way to nominate people and get them on the ballot. I realize that some states might have cumbersom requirements and some states might make it relative easy.

Can people be put on by ballot? if so, number of signers required?
Is a state convention required? if so, what is needed to become official?

Yes, a write-in campaign is possible (in several states), but it is rarely pratical.

Aside from issues dealing with correct spelling, their is (IMHO) a problem with harsh ballot access laws.

My point is that the more We the People (as opposed to We the Sheeple) simply do it anyway, the more our government will have to take notice and begin the steps toward enacting what the people want.

Remember who is supposed to control who.

Don’t we have a Write-In selection on every ballot? Any potential candidate can run for office without a single signature of approval or raised dollar.

If that candidate’s name is written into the Write-In and he or she is in the majority, then that’s who the people want and that is the winner of the election…period.

We need to start becoming more aware of the existence and usage of the Write-In. We don’t need legislation, approval, countless signatures, millions of dollars, or any of the other bullshit associated with getting independents in office. We have the power right now with the Write-In. We need to start using the power we already have.