Jefferson Review

"Your Liberty is Our Interest"

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There appears to be tremendous concern for EQUAL access to the " ballot box", in America, but little or NO concern for EQUAL access to the BALLOT itself , except by a few of us who desire to run for office as" minority "individuals not affiated with the Republican or Democratic Party. The First Amendment guarantees the right of Every American to petition the government for a redress of grievances, as well as freedom of speech, the press, and religion. The equal  right of  all  citizens  to run for public office   is the personification of The American Ideal of Government.

Individual's run for political office, not Parties. Parties are groups of people who generally support the individual candidates. Would people be able to be treated differently because of race, religion, or sexual orientation? I think not. Why political philosophy or affiliations?

Why should "Minorities" have to collect signatures, because of who we associate with or what we believe? Is that not the same as a " poll tax"? Also, people are very uneasy about giving information to strangers, and rightly so! Ballot access petitions ask that you give your social security Number......
This is an outrageous request!

In Addition, Federal Election Commissions rules and regualtions and Campaign Finance Laws serve to protect incumbents and eliminate competition.

FEC laws are thousands of pages long, and so complex and intimidating, that one needs legal advice to interpret them. Election laws threaten huge fines and criminal penatlties including prison time. Should we not have simple rules that do not have to be " tested in court", that encourage, not discourage,citizen involvement in government?

Common sense says Individuals should be able to run for offfice and try to make a difference without being AFRAID of breaking some obscure law and going to jail or being fined big bucks.

The "chilling effect" is to keep ordinary people from particiating in the political process, which goes against the traditional concept of government, by the people, for the people.

We have no choice in America with Political candidates! The Republicans and The Democrats are the flip side of the same coin. Thats why so few people bother to vote anymore.
Access to the Ballot is a major Problem that needs to be addressed.

What good is Access to the Ballot Box if there is no one worth voting For?

Donna Mancini
Chairman LPKY

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