[Guide] Ballot Access Laws

Now for the first "hard part" of your campaign. By now, you need to have done the following:

1. Developed a series of talking points that you can politely debate about virtually every issue, article or amendment to the Constitution, and current political leaders relevant to your district (see Guide 1: Getting Qualified). This step is important because you will now be putting those debate skills to the test!
2. Learned the exact boundaries of your district, because it's time to hit the pavement within those exact limits!
3. Collected all relevant paperwork to get yourself on the ballot.

So, what's next? Collecting signatures for your "ballot petition!"

What are ballot access laws and why do they affect my campaign?

A state's "ballot access law" is the law that determines how, exactly, political candidates go about getting their names on the ballot. If your state's ballot access laws are too easy, you'll have dozens of people running for the same office. At the same time, restrictive ballot access laws are undemocratic and usually only allow heavily-financed parties to run.

In all fifty states, the ballot access law requires you to collect a certain number of signatures on a petition, circulated by you and your supporters, that basically says that anyone who signs it is nominating you for candidacy in the office of your choice. If you need help finding the .pdf files of this petition, see my previous guide. Once enough people sign your petition, you turn it in with the rest of your paperwork, and you wait to hear back about whether you gathered enough signatures.

What are the signature requirements for my state?

Here's the real meat-and-potato part of the guide. Sirrealismo made a spreadsheet with ballot access information for all fifty states.

The most important thing you should know about your state is the number of signatures you need. However, in some special cases, sirrealismo added notes to the spreadsheet concerning special laws. I should also note that several states are left blank because most ballot access rules for the 2012 election have not been announced yet. However, the requirements for 2010 are a good ballpark figure to shoot for. This spreadsheet, by itself, is the most comprehensive and in-depth tool for political candidates in the entire country. Both political parties have highly-paid staffers to do research this information, but now, thanks to sirrealismo, it's available for everyone for free.

Also, I want to emphasize that the information in the table alone may not include all necessary information. You should consult with your state's Secretary of State or Election Services division to make sure you understand completely. (They are nice and really want to help you get on the ballot.)

Not all states are finished being worked into the spreadsheet, but if you find out something we didn't include, let me know and I'll add it to the spreadsheet.

My state requires me to get x-number of signatures, is that all I need?

No. The figures in that spreadsheet are the number of good signatures required. The definition of a good signature varies by state (for example, registered Republicans may not be able to be counted if they signed a Democrat's petition), but you generally need to collect 20% more signatures than required, as history has shown that 10-15% of the signatures on candidate petitions are from people not actually eligible to sign the petition. (Note: I don't remember where I heard this statistic, if you know of a source, let me know!)

What are the rules about who can circulate my petition?

This will vary by state, but the requirements are almost always printed on the back of the petition, where the circulator must sign. Usually, the circulator must be someone who is "eligible to vote for you," meaning they are of-age, registered to vote in your district, and still reside in your district.

How do I fill out the other information on the petition?

Here's the text from the petitions I am circulating in Arizona, with the blanks explained below. Also, they spelled "hereby" incorrectly in the first sentence, that wasn't my fault.

Nomination Petition (For Nomination Other Than by Primary, A.R.S. 16-341)

The undersigned, qualified electors of (a) county, state of Arizona, do herby nominate (b), who resides at (c) in the county of (d), as a candidate for the office of (e) at the general (or special, as the case may be) election to be held on the(f) day of (g) , (h). I hereby declare that I have not signed the nomination petitions of any candidate for the office to be voted for at this primary election, and I do hereby select the following designation under which name the said candidate shall be placed on the official ballot (here insert such designation not exceeding three words in length as the signers may select) (i).

a. If your district spans multiple counties, you need to have separate petitions for each county. Make sure each signer specifies which county they live in so they sign the correct petition.

b. Your legal name here.

c. Your address here.

d. Put the county that you live in here (does not have to match blank A)

e. Put "United States Congress, District #___" here.

f. 6th

g. November

h. 2012

i. Unless you live in Arizona, this one doesn't apply to you. It's asking for your name as it will appear on the official ballot (the name on the ballot can be a nickname that is different from your real name.)

Okay, I know how many signatures I need. How do I actually get the signatures?

Make a small brochure that details your platform and congressional objectives. I have a sample brochure you can use, check the "resources sidebar." You should get permission to use all of the images in your brochure.

For every political issue, you should also have prepared a quick, witty talking point. This should include a short "soundbyte" that is around 6-7 words long that sums up your argument. Everyone you meet will ask you "how do you plan to fix...." or "what's your stance on...." Your response must be impressionable to truly impress people. For some example answers, check out my sample brochure. Write all of your talking points down in a single place so you can practice memorizing them when you're stopped at a red light/ on the toilet/etc.

On "signature drive days," your election gear should consist of (1) a ballot petition form with space for about 100 voters, (2) about 200 brochures, and (3) about 100 voter registration packets, (4) a few pages to collect demographics information about your constituents and their biggest concerns, (5) a suit with a flag lapel pin, (6) a small table people can use to sign your petition, (7) a clipboard or two, and (8) a lot of blue pens, and (9) [any documents about your platform(http://www.reddit.com/r/RunForIt/comments/lzuvp/volunteering_information_how_even_you_can_help/). Also consider bringing bottled water,comfortable shoes, and a lunch.

You can probably get permission from local grocery stores to campaign at the front of their parking lot. Also consider getting permission from gas stations, shopping malls, and movie theatres to campaign on their property. It doesn't hurt to ask, and the manager of the store isn't a "lost vote"if he says no. You can also campaign for free on public property, such as sidewalks. I'm not sure about the rules of libraries. Make sure to campaign only in places in your district.

Approach people by asking if they have thought about who they support in the 2012 presidential election. Ask them what the most important issues are to them. KEEP DATA ON PEOPLES' ANSWERS, and then explain to them the problems of the two-party system (detailed in my sample brochure above) and how it is actually hurting that #1 issue, and ask if they'd be interested in signing a petition to allow you, an independent, to run for congress, which currently has a 9% approval rating. Explain that the petition is not a vote, it's simply the voter's way of giving you permission to be on the ballot. This is your chance to explain the role of a congressperson and how you support (1) imposing congressional term-limits on yourself and (2) eliminating the two-party system, which has lead to the congressional grid-lock. If they ask how you plan to eliminate the two-party system, explain to them that you are part of a national movement to support independent candidates, and that voting for one of the two main parties is throwing your vote away (detailed in my sample brochure.) If a person is not registered to vote, encourage them to register to vote, and get their contact information so you can get their signature once they get their voter registration card.

Your goal should be 100 signatures per day on "drive days." Get your spouse to help you if he/she can. The restrictions for who can circulate for you are almost always listed on the actual ballot petition form. Also make sure that circulators bring the materials listed above, and a big photo of you they can use.

Good places to get signatures when you're not on a signature drive day: dog parks, the gym, work, school, bars, casinos, churches, UNIVERSITIES. Make it part of your routine to meet new people and mention that you're seeking candidacy for Representative of District #n in your state as an independent. Getting your oil changed? Get the mechanic to sign the petition. Getting a haircut? Get the stylist's signature.

Make sure you get contact info from everyone who signs. Ask every person, "would you like me to follow-up with you in the future about the race?" (Do not ask, "do you mind if I follow up with you?" The way this is worded sounds like a call from you is an imposition.)

Also be sure to give everyone a copy of your brochure, even if they didn't sign for you. They may visit your website and decide they like you.