Ohio Libertarians to File 10,000 Petition Signatures for Michael Badnarik
The Libertarian Party of Ohio has gathered 10,000 signatures, double the number needed to place its Presidential candidate, Michael Badnarik, on the ballot in November. They plan to submit these signatures to Secretary Blackwell's office on Wednesday, August 18th at 3pm.
Ohio Libertarians had previously filed 57,150 signatures to be recognized as a political party in Ohio and place all of its candidates on this year's ballot, but the Secretary of State's office disregarded these petitions. The issue is now in federal court.
"We have gathered these signatures to ensure our Presidential candidate's place on the ballot," notes State Chair Jason Hallmark, "but we are hoping for a successful resolution to our ballot access lawsuit. Ohio is the most restrictive state in the country regarding participation in American democracy."
"It is true that Secretary Blackwell refuses to acknowledge our existence as a political party, even though we have full-time employees, interns, and county affiliates meeting monthly all over the state," replies LPO Executive Director Robert Butler, "By keeping us off the ballot, Blackwell is engaging in the worst kind of political games while disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of voters. Someone needs to stand up and point out that the Emperor has no clothes!"
"Many Ohio voters are unhappy with Kerry and Bush," reports Hallmark, "If you cast your vote for the lessor of two evils, you are still voting for evil. The only wasted vote is a vote for a candidate you don't truly agree with."
If these 10,000 signatures are counted, Michael Badnarik will be placed on the ballot as "other party" candidate.
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