This post originally appeared in the August 12th, 2020 edition of the Harrison Press.
I won’t be on the ballot until 2021, so you may ask: Why am I writing this today? In order for me to be able to run as a Libertarian in 2021, the Libertarian Presidential nominee must obtain 3% of the popular vote in the State of Ohio in the November 2020 election. If this does not happen the Libertarian Party of Ohio would have to collect over 100,000 signatures requiring them to spend a quarter of a million dollars in 2021 to regain ballot access.
Often people approach me and ask: “Why disrupt this important Presidential (or gubernatorial) race with a Libertarian candidate? Why don’t you focus on building the party at the local level, then county and state candidates? After that, then build the party to elect federal congressmen, congresswomen and senators. Finally, get serious and run a presidential candidate.” While I like this idea there are many reasons beyond the Libertarian Party and other Third Party’s control that make this idea unfeasible.
Unfortunately, as I outlined above, in state after state the old parties conspire to keep everyone except Republicrats (Republicans and Democrats) off the ballot. The Libertarian Party formed in 1971 and has run a Presidential candidate in every election since 1972. After having ballot access in 50+ states in 1992, 1996 and 2000, the Libertarians’ streak ended in 2004 after several states passed ballot access laws specifically designed to keep a third party candidate off the ballot. The Libertarians fought back, and in 2016, Gary Johnson was on 50+ ballots. We want to start a new streak by getting 50+ access in 2020. It was during this time that the Libertarian Party of Ohio worked hard and collected over 100,000 signatures and spent $250,000 to regain our ballot access.
I like this quote found on the Libertarian party’s webpage on ballot access:
“This isn’t just a Libertarian issue — it’s a fair election issue and it’s an American issue. More candidates means better representation. Better representation means better elections and better results.”
You will often hear me say: “Do you really want only two flavors of Ice Cream or 2 brands of deodorant?” Like ice cream, deodorant and many other things in life having many choices makes are lives better and fuller. It is no different with political parties. Just look no further that the countries where there is only one legal political party allowed.
If you would like to learn more about ballot access check out www.lp.org/ballotaccess. If you would like to learn more about our party and its principled platform check out www.lp.org/platform. If you would like to see me run as a Libertarian for Harrison City Council in 2021, consider helping Ohio get their 3% and vote for Dr. Jo Jorgensen and Spike Cohen. Learn more about them at http://www.jo20.com (now see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Jorgensen_2020_presidential_campaign). I would also like to draw your attention to Kevin Khan. Kevin is running for the Congressional District 1 seat held by a twelve term incumbent. When Kevin is elected, he will push for Federal Term Limits and has pledged to serve only 3 terms (6 years) in Congress. For more information on Kevin go to http://www.kahn4congress.com (now see https://ballotpedia.org/Kevin_Kahn). If you would like to learn more about the Libertarian Party and get involved contact me at mike.mains18@gmail.com or check out the www.lpo.org/join.
Would you like to see me run as a Libertarian for City Council in 2021? Would you like to see fresh faces and ideas instead of the tired old parties year after year? In 2020, please consider voting for Jo Jorgensen for President, Spike Cohen for Vice President and Kevin Kahn for Congress.
#VoteGold
#LetHerSpeak
#VoteFreeOhio
#StepOutOfLine
#Kahn4Congress
#JoJorgensen2020
Mike for Ohio 