I know the LPPA selected candidates for state-wide office at the state convention for 2008.  Are there plans to mobilize people for the local offices?  I know in Luzerne County, there were no Republican candidates for State Houses 114, 116 and 118 thru 121, so if we can get Libertarians on the ballot in these races, anyone who doesn't like the Dummy-crat will still have someone to vote for.  Plus it would be a great chance to get the LP noticed and get more poeple educated.

Thanks

This is good work.  It would be great to run candidates in all of these districts.  The challenge is identifying folks who are qualified to run.  If enough folks are interested, maybe we could try contacting Libertarians in these districts to see if any want to run.

David Jahn

Unfortunately PA election laws make it not uncommon that there is only one choice on the general election ballot. The idea is to make it so the only real choice people have is on the primary ballot, when only those who are members of one of the two major parties can participate. That way it can be claimed the two-party system works because almost everyone participates in it.

Remember, if people voted in the primary, they cannot have their name placed directly on the November ballot by filing nomination papers. This is another way ballot choices are limited as once you are sucked into the system, you cannot oppose it. So when looking for candidates, try to find people who were not registered D or R as of 30 days before the primary publicly funded nomination process.

Good Luck!

Mik Robertson

Sounds like another way the major parties screw everyone else over so they can keep themselves in power.  Well, since I registered as Republican to vote for Ron Paul in the primary, I guess I can't petition to get myself on the ballot in November.  (I did switch back, but I'm still waiting for my new registration card to arrive from Luzerne County.)

On a somewhat related note, what is the signature requirements for this year?  Even if I can't petition for myself, I can at least collect some signatures locally for the state wide candidates.

Thanks!

I will more than likely stand for election for public office at some point in the future. I know that now is not the time. I have other things on my plate right now and among them is organizing a county chapter of the party. I think this will do more good for the cause of liberty in the long-run than running for office. I want to start small with a borough/city council race and work my way up.

Running for office has two advantages. People who go to the polls see the ballot line and realize there is another choice in addition to the two major parties, one of which may not even have a candidate on the ballot, and candidates often get sent questionnaires and get some media attention. For many people, this may be the first time they encounter the LP or libertarian principles. While it is better to have serious candidates campaigning to win, even a paper candidate can help get the message out.

When more people are aware of the message and the possibility of making a difference, the easier it becomes to organize. It still takes a lot of effort, though.

Getting candidates is another challenge. I know of only two counties in Pennsylvania that will have full slates of Libertarian candidates in 2008.

Mik Robertson

Excellent! Another thing you may want to do is follow closely what the current State Rep is doing and track some legislation that will be pertinent to your campaign.

Mik Robertson

More help is always good. Dave Jahn has been doing much of our website work, And I'm sure he would be happy with some assistance. Is it something that you could do before you actually return to PA or does time not allow?

By the way, I've heard Bob Barr is polling 6% in a Zogby poll nationally. That's not bad at this point.

Mik Robertson