Comments on: Hopeful Sign for Indiana Ballot Access

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:55:13 +0000

Actually, in Indiana, to be on the ballot a candidate must collect 2% of the total number of votes cast for the office of Secretary of State the last time that office was elected. To have ballot access for the years following that election, a party must earn 2% of the vote for the office of Secretary of State. Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians all have automatic ballot access in Indiana.

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:01:23 +0000

Actually, Indiana quadrupled its petition requirement in a bill that passed in 1980. But it didn’t go into effect until 1983. The Libertarian and American Parties were both on the ballot under the old law, but the 1980 bill now only quadrupled the number of signatures, it also quadrupled the number of votes needed for a party to remain on, although the vote increase didn’t take effect until 1987. As a result, Indiana was one of only 4 states in which Ron Paul wasn’t on the 1988 ballot as the Libertarian presidential nominee.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:49:20 +0000

No. It’s because the two major parties don’t want to face more parties on Election Day. They passed the tougher ballot access laws in 1986 only because the American Party was already on the ballot and the Libertarian Party was almost able to get on the ballot.

By: Larry

Larry — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:41:51 +0000

Is this due to the 2 “major” political parties do not want to share campaign finance bribes?