Green Party of Ohio Decries State Legislature's "Attack on Democracy."

[Rick Rowlands]

These small parties consume vast amount of election resources while generating practically no votes.  If you can't generate at least 5% of the vote then whats the point of existing at all?

[irishbobcat]

Green Party of Ohio

For Immediate Release, 7/4/2011

Green Party of Ohio Decries State Legislature's "Attack on Democracy." Will file lawsuit.

Dateline: Columbus, Ohio

This past week, according to the Green Party of Ohio, the State Senate passed a revision of Ohio's election law that is nothing less than an attack on Democracy itself.
"It's highly ironic that on the Fourth of July, when we are supposed to be celebrating our political freedoms, the Legislature has passed a law that effectively eliminates our ability to peacefully assemble as a political party," said Dennis Spisak. Spisak was the Green's gubernatorial candidate in 2010. He established the Party's current legal standing by receiving more than 50,000 votes.

HB 194 requires Parties to receive at least 5% of the vote for either Governor or President in order to maintain their status as a political party. This means that the Greens would have to receive approximately 200,000 votes.  However, since they may have lost their status before the election in 2012, they would have to do so without the ability to raise money, name candidates, hold primaries, or establish membership.

"We will definitely file a new lawsuit  because the new petition deadline is in early February, and all reported decisions on the subject of petition deadlines for minor parties agree that a petition deadline that early is unconstitutional,"  said Green Party attorney Bob Fitrakis. It was  Fitrakis's lawsuit which originally established that a Party should only have to show a "modicum of support" to maintain ballot status. Jennifer Brunner, the previous Secretary of State, interpreted that to mean 1% of the vote for Governor or President. "This Bill takes us right back to the 5% requirement that was already found to be unconstitutional," pointed out Fitrakis. He plans to work with other minor parties to reverse these measures.

"Whether the State chooses to outlaw us or not, we will continue to fight for what's right." added Anita Rios, Co-Chair of the Green Party of Ohio. "Our fights to end nuclear power, protect workers' rights, and help minorities and women are too important to let the Republicans and Democrats stop us, just because they are afraid of a little competition. That's why Sean Nestor and I have chosen to run for Toledo City Council in 2011, while we still have Party status.

Having passed both the House and Senate, the two versions will now be reconciled. Then, if Governor Kasich signs it, it will become law. The bill also eliminates the Libertarian, Socialist, and Constitution parties.