Oct

19

Writing in Ron Paul?

Sun, 10/19/2008 - 20:22

A friend emailed me a very good question: ... what states can you write in Ron Paul?

Here is a chart on states' write in rules (disclaimer: not sure this is 100%, please check your own state's rules)
http://mfoster.com/misc/write-in_rules_2008.html

This blogger i read often says writing in does not make a statement or an impact that is measurable, because most states won't even report the write ins.
http://libertymaven.com/2008/05/31/ron-paul-write-in-options-rules-for-e...

This friend lives in IL and it looks like IL is a state where if you run and lose in the primary, you can't put yourself on the ballot as a write in (according to this chart above).
But that does not answer the question as to whether a write in vote counts even if they are not nominated as a write in... does not the concept of nomination as a write in defeat the premise of a write in?!

Tough decision... or you could go with what Andy Rooney said tonight on CBS's 60 Minutes:
"I don't know who I am going to vote for, I like both McCain and Obama. I don't think we can go wrong with either."

Thank you Andy for sealing the lid on the theory that the media and the two parties are in fact all in this big mess together.
Way to educate your audience Rooney.

The upside to voting for a Bob Barr (Libertarian), or a Chuck Baldwin (Constitution) is that:
a) they might be on your ballot
b) if they get 5%+ of the vote then that party is automatically on the ballot next time around and gives a third party a better shot at being in the debates next time around (which is where real change will come, when 3 and 4 parties start asking hard questions during debates).

I do want to write in Ron Paul believe me.
And then print up bumper stickers:
Don't Blame Me. I Wrote in Ron Paul.

If IA counts/reports write ins, I will write him in.
If they don't, I will choose between Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin and go with the candidate who has a better chance of garnering 5%... the primary difference between the two is the religious/moral issues... Baldwin is a Baptist preacher and Barr is a former CIA official turned congressman... imagine which issue they differ on...

I would google "Your County Sample Ballot" and see what comes up and you should be able to see who/what is on your ballot right now.

With regards to getting more voices and less control by the two major parites in the debates, check out:
http://www.opendebates.org/theissue/
for the full skinny on how much fraud has been perpetrated on the American people by the Presidential Commission on Debates.

Tags:
»
  1. Anonymous on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 22:48

    Barr's second amendment position has evolved over time to be more "pro-gun." However, That still concerns me. His refusal to participate in joint 3rd party press conferences and the debate scheduled for Thursday, also make me wonder about him, as refusing to debate Chuck Baldwin after the Ron Paul endorsement seems liker seems very childish.

    Thomas Rutherford

  2. Anonymous on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 22:48

    This issue of helping an outsider get the ballot access threshold is critical. Another key point is to force the media to acknowledge alternative viewpoints when they are sitting there on election night.

    The hidden key is that as the race gets less competitive it has nothing to do with the national polls, but rather with the polls in your state. If your state is in the tank for either older party candidate you can feel free to vote to create more competition in the future.

    Write ins are not usually counted at all, and are unlikely to ever reach the threshold.

    Be careful talking about 5% which is the rule in IL, and may be in other states, but each state is different.

    Michael Dixon

  3. Anonymous on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 22:47

    I would encourage people to vote for Bob Barr. You explain it well with the 5%. Ron Paul ran as a libertarian for president some years ago. I remember voting for him.

    The two parties make it very difficult for a third party.

    Bill Lynn

  4. Anonymous on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 22:45

    Iowa doesn't count or report write-ins, at least not in any substantive fashion. Other than for small elections where there are not enough candidates to fill the office available, write-ins are not a functional strategy. Voting 3rd party, and realistically, any 3rd party, will have more effect on the duopoly.

    The threshold for inclusion in the next election, technically major party status, is 2% in Iowa. The status only lasts through the next 2 year cycle, not through the next presidential campaign. Still, it makes it easier to get liberty minded candidates more press, and hopefully, have more impact. It was my major goal as state chair, and IMO, should be any minor state party's goal.

    Also take a look at the Rock the Debates group. Getting in the debates is the major hurdle for presidential candidate effectiveness, but for the most part, they 3rd parties haven't "earned" it, both by the debate organizers rules, and in the public's eye.

    Mark Nelson

    5. Post new comment