Comments on: Coalition Fights Tough Access Laws in PA http://thirdpartywatch.com/2005/10/26/coalition-fights-tough-access-laws-in-pa/ Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:05:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1.3 by: NewFederalist http://thirdpartywatch.com/2005/10/26/coalition-fights-tough-access-laws-in-pa/#comment-1271 Wed, 26 Oct 2005 10:54:35 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2005/10/26/coalition-fights-tough-access-laws-in-pa/#comment-1271 While I agree with Joe that the .05% is arbitrary I am confident the General Assembly would never pass a bill that allows carte blanche ballot access. A small minimum requirement (which would be easily attained by serious minor parties, by the way) is the only way this has a chance. It would be such a vast improvement over the current situation that any small minimum to satisfy the major parties "concern" over "confusing" the voters with "frivolous" choices is worth accepting in my opinion. While I agree with Joe that the .05% is arbitrary I am confident the General Assembly would never pass a bill that allows carte blanche ballot access. A small minimum requirement (which would be easily attained by serious minor parties, by the way) is the only way this has a chance. It would be such a vast improvement over the current situation that any small minimum to satisfy the major parties “concern” over “confusing” the voters with “frivolous” choices is worth accepting in my opinion.

]]> by: Joe http://thirdpartywatch.com/2005/10/26/coalition-fights-tough-access-laws-in-pa/#comment-1270 Wed, 26 Oct 2005 09:26:05 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2005/10/26/coalition-fights-tough-access-laws-in-pa/#comment-1270 I hope they are successful. However, as the article suggests Republicrats will not sponsor legislation that will make it more difficult for them to get elected. Alternative party candidates will need to get elected under current rules, as unfair as they are, in order to change them. I also think the minimum .05 threshold is too high. If the coalition is going to bother with this legislation, why not include every alternative party. A .05 minimum is completely arbitrary. I hope they are successful. However, as the article suggests Republicrats will not sponsor legislation that will make it more difficult for them to get elected. Alternative party candidates will need to get elected under current rules, as unfair as they are, in order to change them.

I also think the minimum .05 threshold is too high. If the coalition is going to bother with this legislation, why not include every alternative party. A .05 minimum is completely arbitrary.

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