LIBERTY PLEDGE NEWSLETTER Published exclusively for members of the Libertarian Party's Monthly Pledge Program NOVEMBER 1990 Election Results Bring Big Ballot Access Gains Ballot Access efforts were significantly States with ballot status as of now are Cali- aided by this month's election results in a num- fornia, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Michi- ber of states. Ballot status was retained in sev- gan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New eral states where it was thought to be in question Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and and ballot status was added in several others. Wisconsin. Status in Montana was still unclear The positive election results around the at press time.. country are estimated to have saved the LP Perhaps the most positive ballot access about $250,000 in ballot access expenses. result in the elections was in Massachusetts, where Libertarians were instrumental in passing the "Fair Ballot Access Initiative." The initiative, Campaign Shows Impressive which slashes ballot access requirements by 75 Gains for Libertarian Party percent, won with 52 percent of the vote. Radio ads for the iniative were done by popular Boston Preliminary studies of the recent election radio personality and Libertarian, Gene Burns. returns indicate that about two million voters— The initiative was also endorsed by both major of the 30 million who had the opportunity— newspapers. chose to vote Libertarian this November, nearly There is also on-going petitioning in Maine, seven percent. Alabama, and Alaska, as well as petitioning This figure is the highest for the LP in any under the direction of "51-92" in North Carolina. election since its formation. LP candidates also Additional ballot drive activity is scheduled for won more double-digit percentages than in any before the Chicago convention in Arizona, South previous election. Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

Some of the candidates who had particularly impressive showings were: Sandi Webb Winner Simi Valley, CA City Council Eric Ewing Winner Marana, AZ School Board Jerry Douglas Winner Topanga-LasVirgines, CA Res Conservatn Distrct Brd of Dir Ted Brown 6% Ins Commissnr (CA) Anthony Bajaba 3% Lt. Governor (CA) Paul Gautreau 3.5% Attorney Genrl (CA) Joe Shea 27% US Cong (CA) (2 way) Tom Tryon 4% Controller (CA) Miriam Luce 5% Governor (NH) Dennis Thompson 2% Governor (CA) Robert Marshall 21% US Congr (IL) (2 way) Carol Caul 15% Crim.AppealsCt (TX) Elizabeth Goldin 19% PubServCommsn (GA) Jeff Daiell 3.3% Governor (TX) John Elsnau 3.7% U.S. Senate (NH) Greg Johnson 19% StateRep (ID) (3 way) Carole Ann Rand 3% Governor (GA)

LIBERTARIAN PARTY NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 1528 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E. • Washington, D.C. 20003 • (202) 543-1988

Atlanta Journal, Sept. 21, 1990. She's talking about (,I jar .MaShingtolIVOSt MOMMY, NO1EMBER 5. 1990 A13 change — real change 6A THE DETROIT NEWS TUESDAY. OCTOBER 16, 1990 A21 Libertarian's Rand has some bold ideas THURSDAY, OcroBER 11,1990 .1.••••• • For State Board of Education I read with interest your list of , By Carrie Teegardin THE federal closings resulting from the Staff waster GOVERNOR'S RACE Although education has become an increasingly budget deadlock [news story, Oct. 81. important issue, the state Board of Education re- The obvious question to me was why When Carole Ann Rand out- mains one of the more obscure elected bodies in the federal government is even in the lines her plan for Georgia's fu- Michigan. It shouldn't be. The eight-member museum business (Smithsonian Insti- ture, she sounds a bit like some 1990 tution, National Gallery of Art), the dorm-room philosopher, a clear- board appoints the superintendent of public in- library business (Library of Con- struction, for whom the board provides general eyed visionary with a sure-fire gress), the entertainment business guidance and advice. It acts as a watchdog on state plan to save the world. (Ford's Theatre, Wolf Trap Farm education policies and oversees the certification of Like her two competitors in tist for Upjohn Corp. in Kalamazoo, is a Libertari- Park), the road-maintenance business Carole Ann Rand teachers. Georgia's race for the governor's an Party candidate. She has a long list of honors (picnic areas along GW Parkway) and This year's election is particularly crucial. The office, she stumps the state, tak- Birthplace: Atlanta en-a—p-alished papers. She also is a former assistant the park business (Rock Creek Park ing on the issues — education, Age: 45 board, consisting of four Republicans and four professor at the St. Louis University Medical Nature Center, Great Falls Park, As- Democrats, has deadlocked on several issues, such sateague Island National Seashore)? gun control and drugs — and Residence: Lilburn School who would bring a refreshing "outsider" as computers in the classroom and the choice of su- perspective to a board where the educational estab- The services provided to patrons of making her pitch for change. Family: Married to Kenneth these and many other federal recre- perintendent, which were eventually settled. Vot- lishment's views are frequently heard. But Ms. Rand is talking about S. Rand for 12 years. Two ational facilities should be paid for by ers will have a chance to avoid further policy im- Ms. Ruwart says "giving control of education vi al change. The Libertarian children, two stepchildren user fees and contributions, or the Party nominee would legalize passes by selecting two members to fill eight-year back to parents and teachers through choice is the facility in question should be shut Footing the Bill for 'American Treasures' and three grandsons terms. arijuana and cocaine, free drug proven way to better quality education." She would down. There is nothing so essential Church affiliation: Atlanta For the State Board of Education, we recom- Randi Korn and J. Daniel Rog- I'm tired of the special-interest offenders from prisen, get rid of ultimately allow parents to choose among private about these services that taxpayers ers 'letters. Oct. 211 justify tax- Urn, Church mend Dick DeVos and Mary Ruwart. should be forced to pay for them. pleading of the upper middle the state income tax, privatize and public schools. Ms. Ruwart favors expanding payer funding of recreational faint- class, who want the over-bur- Dick DeVos, a Republican, would bring a badly Better still, why doesn't the federal reorgia S se 00 sys ma ant en- Stowi-Onat'S-tatt alternative en tifitation. And she opposes raising dies such as parks and museums dened taxpayer to pay for their Maryland Casualty Insurance needed business perspective to the board. He is government sell off these and other courage people to become their Carole Ann Rand, the Libertarian Party's candidate for governor, sits out- the school-leaving age from 16 to 18, pointing out by claiming that all Amencans use amenities and recreational pas- Co. chief executive officer of a Grand Rapids company that it allows troublemakers who aren't learning to businesses that could be handled just these facilities. own police force by buying guns. side her office. "Libertarians are not geeks," she says, good-naturedly. as well, if not better, by the private times. and a former , ii:e-president at Amway Corp. But disrupt the education of dedicated students. Their analysis belies the fact "Yes, our ideas are bold," Education: Graduate of Du- "We're not crazy kooks with impossible ideas." sector, and stick to its primary func- The letter of Randi Korn and!. said Ms. Rand, leaning on the Page College in Illinois. Mr. DeVos is t a newcomer to education issues. The other candidates are Republican Lowell tion, protecting the lives, liberty and that today very few people in this He is a member of the Business Advisory Council country who make $10,000, or Daniel Rogers advocating financ- dinner table at a recent engage- Political experience: For- governor, filed a federal lawsuit scientist. "But they've made sig- Perry, a Michigan Bell employee, and two Demo- property of American citizens on for the Forest Hills Public Schools and Grand Rap- even $20.000, a year can afford to ing parks and museums solely ment and looking straight at a mer chairman of the Georgia this week. nificant contributions now and crats, Barbara Roberts Mason, a Michigan Educa- American soil? from tax revenues was a perfect ids area co-chairman for the United Negro College MARY GINGELL travel with their families to Wash- dozen potential converts. "And Libertarian Party. Has not "We're here to stay as Geor- again by providing some ideas tion Association teacher union employee, and Rol- ington to visit the National Gallery example of such arrogance. Fund drive. lie Hopgood, a Michigan Federation of Teachers Annandale yes, our ideas are different from held public office. gia's third party," Ms. Rand said. that proved useful and tended to of Art or to California to commune The people who go to museums employee. Mr. Perry seemed to lack a sure grasp of the mainstream politicians." "But the Democrats and Repub- be absorbed by the major Mr. DeVos, 34, says parents should be able to se- with nature in Yosemite. like the Smithsonian and national And that, the 4.5-year-old in- licans can put us out of business parties." lect the school their child may attend within a dis- the key issues. Ms. Mason endorsed cross-district Perhaps with massive tax and parks like Yellowstone are surance executive argues, is ex- outs to take care of themselves. if they want to." That is — at least for now — trict. He has a more cautious approach to "educa- choice, but that was her only deviation from the spending cuts and a strengthened wealthier than the average tax- actly why voters should pick her "Taking responsibility for "It is frustrating," said Chris what Georgia's Libertarians tional choice" than we do, but is open to expanding union line. Mr. Hopgood was less dogmatic but his free market economy more Amer- payer. Shouldn't wealthier people ican would be able to afford to for governor come Nov. 6 — even your own life works," Ms. Rand Voss, an Atlanta Libertarian and have in mind. And it's one reason the concept as districts experiment. Mr. DeVos support of choice hinged too much on equity in pay for their own leisure activities if they know the third-party can- Ms. Rand sounds so unlike the supports expanding alternative certification to school financing. Voluminous research shows more share in these so-called 'American said. Rand supporter. "Some people in treasures." But until then, the instead of whining that their rec- .candidates who operate in the professionals with subject matter expertise in all money is not what causes student achievement to didale doesn't have a chance in a A vegetarian, gardener and the party say maybe we should average taxpayer should not have reation is in the national interest state just starting to accept a two- just infiltrate the major parties." world of sound-bite philosophy. teaching areas, so schools may select from the best improve. to pay for vacation facilities that and that therefore every taxpayer grandmother who lives in Lil- Republican Dick DeVos and Libertarian party system. "The third parties in the his- "I'm not sure we even want to people available. He also favors having children they cannot afford to use. should have to subsidize them? burn, Ms. Rand breaks the Liber- Mary- Ruwart would do the most to improve "If you're fed up and you've tory of this country have fared be a major party," Mr. Voss said. pass both an oral and written test showing they KATHLEEN!. RICHMAN WILLIAM REDPATH tarian stereotype of the abrasive, state education policies and break the gridlock on had enough, then it's time for you quite poorly in terms of winning "They have to sell out. The focus have mastered certain skills before graduating. Woodbridge Herndon hard-edged scientist as she Ms. Ruwart, a 40-year-old senior research scien- the board- to send a message down to the preaches a trinity of individual office," said Loch Johnson, a is different. Ours is not to be gold dome that you want govern- choice, personal responsibility University of Georgia political elected but to change society." ment off your hack and out of and tolerance. your pocket," said Ms. Rand, the first woman to make Georgia's "Libertarians are nut geeks," general election ballot for gov- Ms. Rand said, good-naturedly. ernor. "We're not crazy kooks with im- Barrington, IL Daily Herald, Sept. 9, 1990. Cutting hack government — possible ideas." THE STANFORD DAILY Friday, October 12. 1990 o 5 drastically — is what the Liber- While striving for legitimacy tarian Party is about. Followers and recognition this year, the believe that taxes are sanctioned party plans to focus in the future Viewpoint Williamson M. Evers Oregon to vote on stealing, redistribution of wealth on less-expensive local cam- is evil and the burden of a waste- paigns and bids for the Georgia ful and ineffective government Public Service Commission, beats down individual potential. where its goal is to break up the National service proposal deserves attention and debate school tax break "Libertarianism is probably utility monopolies. what you already believe," Ms. But the Libertarians say the N TEE NEAR FUTURE, will all program to pay participants 55,000 At the same time, Tar.....-s,/ people are points. Rand tells most of the people she two dominant political parties American young people — both boys vouchers for each year of service. The participating in increarang numbers in Minnesota is the only state with meets, in an approach designed and the news media have put and girls — have to perform service House bill would cancel the obligation of Adopting a large-scale, broadly inclusive pro- volunteer public service work_ If this flow SALEM. Ore. — A petition drive statewide open enrollment for public to take off the radical edge. "It's laws and traditions between Lib- workI under the guidance of the federal those in national service to repay certain gram of national service is one of the few pro- of young people into volunteer public ser- has put a proposed constitutional schools. It also is the only one that probably what your parents ertarians and the ballots by en- government? Although the prospects for federal student loans. vice becomes a popular social-political amendment on Oregon's Nov. 6 bal- gives tax breaks to parents of stu- couraging requirements that such an all-inclusive program might seem This voucher plan and this debt cancel- movement that uinambiguousiy demands lot that supporters and foes alike dents who attend private schools, but taught you when you were grow- posals on the public policy agenda today that call the most far-reaching school the breaks aren't so generous as in third-party candidates gather remote, they have become more Likely in lation plan are slightly different a full-scale, comprehensive national ser- ing up." recent months as Congress has passed approaches, but each is part of an effort would markedly change the American way of life vice program. such a development would choice measure in the nation. the Oregon measure. Libertarians would undo the thousands of signatures to quali- alter the attitude of now-ekeptical law- Backers of the Educational Choice bills that proponents of universal service by proponents of all-inclusive national Minnesota permits taxpayers to New Deal. They would get gov- fy to have their names on ballots. see as a beachhead from which they hope service to put in place substantial as we know it. makers. Initiative. or Measure 11. say it would greatly broaden educational deduct from taxable income up to ernment out of any service that To protest the party's exclusion to move on to establishing a program that rewards and penalties tat present, short Yet both such poi-tulle developments 61.000 in private school expenses. ivate industry could provide. from debates this fall, Walker requires all young people to enlist of the threat of a jail sentence far refusal ran counter to the normal American pat- opportunity by giving parents the means to send their children to The Oregon measure would allow They ask those expecting hand- Chandler, running for lieutenant The House passed a 5183 million to enlist) in order to encourage massive Rudy Boshwitz. R-Minn.; and Sen. U.S. assumption of long-term military tern. Usually the American people want tax credits — a direct subtraction national service bill (H.R. 4330) on Sept. numbers of young peopie to enlist. William Armstrong, R-Colo., pointed out duties in the Persian Gulf region — demobilization in times of peace, and schools of their choice — public or private. from taxes owed — of up to $2.500 a 13. The Senate passed a $125 million bill The 1989 Nunn-McCurdy bill, for in debate on the Senate floor on Feb. 27 Congress has begun to reduce the size of American young people value individual year. (S. 14,30) on March 1. Now a conference example made federal aid for moat college that the vouchers that would be awarded the military. liberty and personal independence. Young Opponents say it would severely committee is reconciling the differences. students conditional on doing service under the Senate national service bill A Senate bill would reduce the Army, people may well prefer to pursue their weaken the public school system and The Office of Legislative Counsel Manchester,NH Union Leader 9/19/90 Sen_ Sam Nunn, D-Ga; Sen. Charles work_ were worth more than the benefits pro- for example. by 40,000 next year, a House interest in public service as independent violate constitutionally required sep- said Measure 11 a similar in most Robb. D-Va.; and Congressman Dave Indeed the Buah administration has vided military veterans under the Mont- bill by 68,500. As Doug Bandow, a syndi- volunteers rather than as participants in aration of church and state. respects to the Minnesota law. which McCurdy, D -Okla., say that a 1990 threatened a presidential veto of the 1990 gomery G.I. Bill. and Seosior McCain cated columnist and opponent of national government-run national service. The proposal would allow parents was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Libetarian Candidate Criticizes Governor national service act should be the first national service bill not only because of said on Feb. 27 and March 1 that little service points out, lower military man- The proponents and opponents of to send their children across district Court in 1984. LiiiiTharian gubernatorial candidate Miriam Luce accused step toward a broadly inclusive, large- its probable price tag, but also because its thought had been given to measuring the power requirements mean that fewer national service are debating fundamen- lines to any pubbc school. State If the Oregon measure is passed, it the incumbent of mismanagement of state finances. scale national service program. measures run counter to President Senate bill's effect on military recriutbsg. members of Congress want to establish tal issues — individual rights, civic school aid would follow the students. will take effect in the 1991-92 school In a recent speech in Manchester, Luce said, "In 1978, we Whether Congress establishes a pro- Bush's ideal of unpaid altruism. The end of the Cold War gives propo- national service. duties, and the scope of government More controversially, it also year. had the lowest per capita taxes as well as a manageable per gram that encompasses massive numbers If Congress were eventually to estab- nents of national service a chance to Despite opinion poll results that seem authority. would grant state income tax credits capita debt load of$482.30. By 1988, we still had the lowest per of young people in the near future lish a large-scale civilian labor program emphasize civilian service programs. But to show widespread support for national Adapting a large-scale, broadly inclu- of up to $2.500 a year for pupils at The proposal "is certainly the capita taxes, but our per capita debt was over five times larger depends in part on the shape of the 1990 under the rubric of national service, the the end of the Cold War may detach pro- service among young people, according to sive program of national service is one of private schools. including church- most extensive" one of its kind, said than it was in 1978. In fact, we had a higher per capita debt load bill that comes out of the conference com- civilian program and the U.S. military military politicians from the coalition the late Morris Jeusowitz, an eminent the few proposals on the public policy supported schools. and for children Sister Catherine McNamee. presi- than New York, New Jersey and even Massachusetts." mittee. would compete to attract young people to supporting national service. eaciologist and a proponent of national agenda today that would markedly taught at home. dent of the National Catholic Educa- Luce said, "We need to ask ourselves what our government But, more importantly, it depends in their ranks. Many members of Congress who have service, the majority of college students change the American way of life as we A poll of 600 registered voters tion Association in Washington. D.C. was thinking of when it planned a 37-percent increase in the long run on the attitude of pro-mili- This may be a less important problem supported a large, well-funded military have strong reservations. know it. As such, national service is a pro- conducted in late August for The The association. which represents posal that deserves full and extended Oregonian newspaper of Portland spending over a two-year period. Luce said "lower spending tary members of Congress and on the than it than it was once. given reduced have also supported establishing national According to Janowitz, the "typical 200.000 Roman Catholic educators, attitude of American young people. tensions between the United States and service — often as a way of bringing back male or female" does not want to debate. found 48 percent in favor of the pro- strongly backs the proposal. and working MT the debt is the Liberatarian alternative" and What kind of bill comes out of the con- the Soviet Union and hence reduced U.S. • military draft. posal, 47 percent opposed and 5 per- The idea for Measure 11. however, challenged New Hampshire residents to send a message in the Mtn!year or two in 'the ertruggle to Williamson ference committee is important because military manpower needs. Recently, because of U.S.-Soviet rap- tmd a place in the occupational struc- M. Evers is a visiting scholar cent undecided. The margin of error largely came from Libertarian Par- November election by voting for Libertarian candidates as a the Senate bill includes an experimental But Sm. John McCain, H-Ariz; Sen- prochement —"and despite the apparent at the Hoover Institution. • was plus or minus 4 percentage ty adherents. call for change. ture.'

(7.imco. PAGE F2I FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990 ZixtUasliingtontiost For D.C. Mayor ity the next mayor of Washington. He or she to address pressing local problems. Mrs. Dixon seems 7 NOTEBOOK ON POLITICS will have to deal with a budget deficit of 5150 willing to draw a firmer line on what the city will and million to $200 million or more, a Congress will not offer to keep the Redskins than does Mr IJa, p ready to slash away at D.C. appropriations, a 'llu-ner Indeed, the most significant difference seems tubby and entrenched local bureaucracy a deflating to be that Mrs. Dixon wants to restore police foot economic base, a growing homeless population, a patrols, while Mr 'Butler wants tougher law enforce- A Refreshing Change frightening violent crime rate and general disgust with ment and more cells at Lorton. Even though she remain; the longest of long shots. city government. As the city and the nation wrestle In short, this race has produced few bold ideas for Libertarian Nancy Lord has emerged as the Daniel with the possibility of a recession, the next mayor will getting the District out of its present straits. The only Patrick Moynihan of the D.C. mayoral campaign have to find some way to balance the District's books, really interesting suggestions have come from lib- this year. continuing to produce some of the most restore business community confidence in the city and ertarian Candidate Nancy Lord, whose ideas on hous- interesting ideas of any candidate. hearten a public that has been torn by the various ing, welfare, health care, taxes and a host of other Last week, Lord wrote a lengthy treatise in the triumphs, antics and tragedies of Marion Barry. issues have the virtues of specificity and tremendous City Paper on the District's budget problems that This year's mayoral race offers local voters the first common sense. She deserves a closer look than she has argued for a significant downsiLing of the D.C. competitive. two-party contest in years. Republican received from many voters, and people tempted to government and a reairection of resources away candidate Maurice Miner served for years in the Dis- select "none of the above" would do well to help the from what she believes to be the destructive "war trict police force, including eight years as police chief. Libertarian Party establish a presence in the city. on drugs." While not without flaws, tie paper was Although he understands the ways and politics of the Ultimately, however, this contest comes down to far more detailed and comprehensive that, any Sharon Pratt Dixon and Maurice Ilu-ner The voting department, his Republican affiliation has made him statement on the budget from Democratic nominee issues boil down to a judgment about who best can help something of an outsider in local circles. Dixon or Turner, the Republican nominee. links to the local ease the District out of its present straits and into a Sharon Pratt Dixon has close Now, Lord has issued "Freedom & Free Democratic party but virtually no working experience position of solvency and prosperity. Enterprise: Bringing Economic Opportunity to the in the trenches of D.C. government. She has worked as Maurice Timer, a Republican running in a Demo- District of Columbia." Among her controversial an attorney and official at Pepco. She also earned her cratic stronghold, had to place clear distance between place on the ballot by virtue of battling Marion Barry himself and the Democratic establishment. He had to proposals: eliminating many of the city's licensing long before it became fashionable. produce policies that could eliminate today's welfare- laws, reforming property taxes to put a heavier In both cases, the candidates' greatest shared state establishment with one interested in free markets burden on undeveloped land and the abolition of strength, their willingness to take on the city establish- and economic growth. He had to build a campaign so rent control. ment, represents their greatest shared weakness. The compelling that people would flock to his side — and District has a city bureaucracy second to none in this force the establishment to take notice. Unfortunately, nation, one that is much easier to criticize than to he has taken refuge in blue-ribbon commissions and shrink. Mrs. Dixon's earlier promises to knock off study panels. On some issues, he actually has run to 2,000 executives failed to take into account city hiring the left of Mrs. Dixon. He has tuna fine campaign, but Boston Herald rules that make such things virtually impossible. Mr. he has failed to establish himself as a distinctly Repub- Iluner's proposal for a hiring freeze has more short- lican or distinctly conservative candidate. term promise, but he has no strategy for paring or In a close call, we endorse Sharon Pratt Dixon be- redeploying the city workforce. He simply wants to use cause we think she stands a better chance of building Yes on Question 4 as his working document the reform proposals put the political coalition necessary to start turning the The Founding Fathers dis- would be good for democracy. District around. We have no illusions about the task she together by a blue-ribbon panel headed originally by approved of political parties. What difference can a faces. No one will get the District squared away in former American University President Richard James Madlaon assailed small party make? In 1854. a three, six, 12 or even 24 months. What we do expect is Berendzen and later by former Congressional Budget them ea "faction(al... adverse modest band of voters gath- a ruthless review of city programs, policies and pay- Office Director Alice Rivlin. to the rights of other citizens, ered in Ripon. Wisc.. to form a rolls. We expect a mayor as independent of the estab- On substantive policy issues, the two differ more in or to the .,. Interest of the new pollUcal party opposing ' lishment after entering office as he or she was before. nuance than in overall strategy. Neither wants to cut community." President slavery. Six years later, that And we expect to see progress toward tidier, smaller taxes now, although Mrs. Dixon has hopes of doing so George Washington warned Infant party got its candidate less ambitious government. Otherwise, the next mayor, in the future. Neither wants to abolish rent control, "In the most solemn manner elected to the White House. Ile no matter who he or she is, can only make matters adopt public school choice, enact significant welfare against the baneful effects of was a Republican; his name, or health-care reform or find sensible, low-cost ways worse. the spirit of party." Abraham Lincoln. The Founders' ideal of non- But these days, Massachu- • partisan democracy never setts stacks the deck against got off the ground. They the potential Lincoln.. Inde- themselves split almost at pendent parties and candi- Si',,' once Into Federalists and dates here, forced to over- 64ro kJ 6!4. E _ Democrat-Republicans, set- come absurdly steep hurdles ting the pattern of two-party just to get on the ballot, are competition that lasts to this chained with some of the na- "Ituit ec-7-1e a-s-ovio Yes on Question 4 day. tion's most restrictive laws. Yet there is nothing sacred For instance, though Demo-. about -.;.. The Fair Ballot Acmes Initiative, better known If Question 4 is approved, independent candi- the two-party system. crate or Republicans running Around the world, the cry in statewide must collect only as 4, would allow independent, candidates dates for statewide or federal offices would need the streets is not for two-par- 10,000 signatures; indepen- and smaller political parties more access to the half of 1 percent of the turnout from the previous ty, but multi-party competi- dents or minor-party candi- electoral process. It is a referendum worthy of gubernatorial election, approximately 8.000 signa- tion. True, too many parties dates must collect 40,000. The support. tures to get on the ballot. can so splinter a society that only party affiliation voters Massaehusetts has some of the most restrictive political cohesion becomes may choose is Democrat or Opponents of the referendum fear that the bat- Voting laws in the US. It is one of only 10 states impossible. But it is also true Republican; for anyone else. ing of requirements would result in a political sjm- that smaller parties and inde- that limit registration to political parties with offi- from Socialists to Libertar- tern fraught with confusion and that voters would pendent candidates can be the ians, the only permitted label cial status. It is one of only 12 states that prohibit be forced to sift through a maze of little-known, yeast that leavens democra- la "unenrolied." (Today, 44 voters from signing nomination papers for more peripheral candidates. Yet this does not happen in' cy. Alternative partlea are ve- percent of Massachusetts than one candidate. those states where ballot requirements are less! hicles that can empower voters — a plurality — choose To be placed on the ballot, minor-party candi- Ideas that are unconven- "unenrolled"). stringent. dates for statewide office now need four times as Bona!, candidates who go Question 4 goes over the many signatures as major-party candidates. Inde- That more than 42 percent of Massachusetts' against the grain, perspec- heads of Democrats and Ile- voters are registered as independents suggests tives that are unfamiliar, and publicana eager to keep out- pendent candidates must have signatures from 2 Independent points of view. siders out and themselves in. percent of the turnout from the previous guberna- that they are not happy with the choices befcre Question 4, if passed, would It replaces exclusion and tPrlai election. about 33,000 signatures. The nomi- them. A more equitable and open electoral process enable more Massachusetts loaded dice with fairness, nating signatures for major-party candidates are may generate some enthusiasm for local and na- parties to offer candidates choice, and democracy. The 'not tied to voter turnout. When voter participation tional politics. The Globe recommends a .yes vote and compete for office os a Herald urges a Yes vote on level playing field. That Question 4. increases, minor-parr candidates are penalized. on cfeestion 4. Gwinnett Daily News, Lawrenceville, GA, Sept. 18, 1990. Libertarian candidate files snit to join debate

alma Pros Insernanonal bons Commission, which oversees Georgia Public ocrat Pierre Howard because "they are the ones ATLANTA — Walker Chandler, the Libertarian Television, cannot bar him from the debate be- getting the attention." Party's lieutenant governor candidate, filed a fed- cause he and some other Libertarian candidates are on the November general election ballot. Ottinger said GPTC offered to give the 1.ibeitar- eral lawsuit Monday to stop a televised debate be- ian Party 30 minutes of air lime alter the (let:Act° tween the Republican and Democratic candidates, "Unlike private broadcast entities, the Gilt re- outline its political philosophy, but Chandler said because he was. not invited. ceives over S6 million a year from the state trea- that was unacceptable because he wants to debate Chandler, a Zebulon attorney, said he filed a sury — the taxpayers of Georgia. his opponents. motion for a temporary restraining order with U.S. "This is an instance of a public broadcast entity District Judge Marvin Shoob. No hearing date has using its status to stifle the confrontation of politi- Chandler said the Libiirtarian Party of West Vir- 1?en set, but Cha nd ler se01 he hopes there will be a cal ideas,",Chandler said. 1 (.1 ginia won an almost identical suit in 1980, forcing hearing later this week. GPTC Diecutive Director Richard Ottir,ger sale that state's public television network to incliale the Chandler said Georgia's Public Communica- he invited only Republican Matt Towery and Dem- Libertarian gubernatorial nandidate iii a debate.