Coronavirus restrictions create problems for independent and third-party candidates seeking a place on the fall ballot
Photo Credit: Rich Whitney, state Green Party co-chair, greets people on a sidewalk in Chicago in 2010 when he was a candidate for governor.(Jos M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
Tuesday marked the first day for independent and third-party contenders to start seeking voter petition signatures to make the November ballot, but their already difficult task has been made even tougher due to restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Even without any public health concerns, independent and third-party candidates had a tougher job to get on the ballot since they are required to get several times the signatures Republicans and Democrats need to qualify for their primary ballots.
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‘Virus or no virus, we can’t lose our voice’
Cheri Honkala on battling back in frontline communities
Cheri Honkala has been organizing in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, one of the US’s most devastated, post-industrial communities, for over 30 years. As of the 2010 census, Kensington was 38.9 percent Hispanic of any race, 37.4 percent non-Hispanic white, 14.8 percent non-Hispanic Black, 6.2 percent Asian, and 2.7 percent all other. And it’s beginning to be threatened by gentrification.
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Amid the outbreak, Minnesota's minor political parties will struggle to get on the ballot
They must collect thousands of signatures for the petitions in Minnesota, a dangerous task amid the current pandemic. An executive order is needed.
On March 14, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo suspended the signature-gathering process for candidates for political office in his state to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, while at the same time reducing the number of signatures that will be required for each office this year by approximately 70%.
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Green Party of Philadelphia Elects 2020 Leaders
PHILADELPHIA – Meeting at Shissler Recreation Center in Fishtown, Philadelphia, on February 25, the membership of the Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP) elected a new City Committee for 2020. The new leadership is racially and sexually diverse, and includes people from a variety of neighborhoods. The new Green Party Chair Belinda Davis is from Chestnut Hill. Party Treasurer Hillary Kane is from Cedar Park. Green Party Membership Secretary Charles Sherrouse is from Oxford Circle East, while Party Recording Secretary Tre Schumacher is from Logan. Two of the three City Committee members at large are from Tacony, while the third is from Torresdale.
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Jill Stein accuses Democrats of 'stacking' DNC committees with 'Never-Bernie corporate Dem elites'
WASHINGTON D.C. – Another former presidential candidate criticized the Democratic Party for its handling of the presidential primary process.
Jill Stein, the Green Party's presidential nominee in 2012 and 2016, assailed Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez for his nominations to the standing committees at this year's convention, which also generated outrage from Sen. Bernie Sanders's campaign.
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Protesters in Pittsburgh say: “No War on Iran! US out of Iraq!
PITTSBURGH – Despite the cold and the rain a 100-person strong rally was held in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh to protest against a war in Iran and U.S. occupation throughout the Middle East. The demonstration drew a wide range of people with long-time activists and newcomers to the anti-war movement alike.
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Maryland’s 45th District delegate should be elected, not appointed
BALTIMORE – Shortly after Congressman Elijah Cummings passed away, Gov. Larry Hogan announced a special election to fill the remainder of his term. In the United States House of Representatives, all members must be elected by the voters. It is inconceivable that we would simply allow Democratic Party insiders to choose Mr. Cummings’ replacement.
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Protesters say, “No War in Iran”
MADISON, Wi. – At least 100 people gathered at the Wisconsin State Capitol this weekend to protest what they perceive to be an escalation into war with Iran. Last Friday, President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike to kill Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
Nine groups who helped organize Saturday’s strike against the assassination characterized the President’s actions as “illegal,” but speakers at the protest also took aim at the United States’ military complex.
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Could the Green Party’s exile swing Franklin County prosecutor’s race?
How the absence of the traditional spoiler could affect Ron O’Brien’s reign
Editor’s note: This story originally ran in the December issue of Columbus Monthly. Democrat Gary Tyack filed a petition to challenge O’Brien last month, after the article was published.
COLUMBUS, Oh – Voters and political strategists often give little weight to third parties in Ohio. But in 2020, the absence of one could have a major impact on a local Republican stronghold—the Franklin County prosecutor’s office
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Maine protestors voice concern following air strike in Iraq
PORTLAND (WGME) -- Dozens of Mainers are voicing anger following the air strike in Iraq. More than 40 people gathered in Congress Square to demonstrate early Saturday afternoon.
Bruce Gagnon, who opposes the air strike in Baghdad which killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani , believes it was a bad call. "Our country has just done something that I think is incredibly insane and provocative," said Gagnon.
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