Posted on 01/04/2010 9:01:50 PM PST by buccaneer81
Brunner OKs 4 minor parties for ballot Monday, January 4, 2010 11:34 PM By Mark Niquette THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Candidates from as many as six political parties could be on the ballot for governor or other offices in Ohio this year.
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. Story continues below Advertisement
"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.
That's one of the reasons that the two major parties have resisted making it easier for minor parties to qualify for the ballot in Ohio and other states, said Paul Beck, an Ohio State University professor of political science.
Some elections officials also are concerned that the directive might impose higher costs on cash-strapped counties if they must provide as many as six different party primary ballots in May, said Matthew Damschroder, deputy director of the Franklin County Board of Elections and a past president of the Ohio Association of Elections Officials.
But Brunner noted in Thursday's directive that the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in September 2006 that Ohio's laws regarding ballot access for minor political parties were unconstitutionally restrictive. Brunner also noted that the Ohio legislature has not acted since to change state law.
In 2008, a court order allowed candidates for president and other offices to appear on the Ohio general-election ballot under the Constitution, Green, Libertarian and Socialist Party USA labels.
Brunner said that even if the legislature acts quickly to change the laws, it would be too late for the May primary. She said the parties granted ballot access in 2008 probably would sue and cost the state legal fees if they were denied access this year.
Brunner's directive spells out the rules for circulating and filing petitions for minor-party candidates and says the parties that want to elect members of a state or county central committee must file a plan for party organization by Feb. 3.
Ohio election ping.
Anything to pull votes from John Kasich, who was well ahead of Ted Strickland (AKA “The Blowup Doll Governor”) in the last poll I saw.
I don’t like Brunner but this is a good thing. People should have choice on who they vote for and the Green or Socialist parties are NOT going to take votes from Republicans.
“No surprise, Brunner (D-ACORN) trying to fragment the conservative vote.”
Almost what I was thinking as I read the article. I thought perhaps it is an attempt to dilute the process which would be the same thing I s’pose.
Regardless, agree.
The Constitution Party will.
Steve Stivers lost a razor-close congressional election to Mary Jo Kilroy in Ohio’s 15th District in ‘08 because of the presence of a third-party candidate.
I know. I voted for Stivers.
In my opinion, the states should not fund nor participate in any way, in the election of party candidates. If the Republican, Democrat, Socialist, Green, Blue, Red, Purple, Black, White, whatever... party want to pick it's candidates it should pay for the poll workers, the ballots, the electricity, the ballot counters, etc...
Then Republicans need to earn their votes instead of sending out RINOs like Ohio’s last 2 Republican Senators.
Well, until the GOP begins to respect Constitutional principles, more power to the Constitution Party! I wish them the best.
Brunner should not be allowed to be in the position of head vote counter when her name is on the ballot!
True, but remember Blackwell was in her position when he ran for governor.
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