Press Releases – New York

Free & Equal, Inc. Announces Successful Petitioning in New York

Posted by admin on October 31, 2009 | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Free & Equal, Inc. Announces Successful Petitioning in New York
October 30, 2009 –The State of New York has some of the most archaic rules to for petitioning candidates to follow in the nation. A focus on bureaucratic and clerical errors instead of voter eligibility often means that candidates who collected enough signatures are kicked off the ballot anyway.
Free & Equal, Inc. coordinated the signature petition drives for several candidates in New York state.
In the City of Rochester, NY the Democratic Party has controlled every single elected office for more than 30 years. The Democratic Committee claims this is because people are satisfied with their leadership. In reality, the Democratic Committee uses the petition challenge process to deny voters a choice.
Candidate for School Board Chris Edes’ Libertarian petition signatures, gathered by Free & Equal, faced an individual challenge brought by Marcos Cruz, son of Democratic City Council candidate Jose Cruz. Edes’ earlier petition for the Democratic party was also challenged. However, the Democratic signatures Free & Equal collected were of such high quality that the challenges failed without any defense being necessary.  After this, the challenger to Edes’ Libertarian party signatures simply gave up.
Edes was the only candidate in Rochester to survive a petition challenge.
“Free and Equal’s knowledge of ballot access issues and enthusiasm for democracy is an invaluable asset, for all who value popular government, and believe in the promise of freedom on which our nation was founded,” said the candidate.
Edes has received endorsements from across the political spectrum: the Libertarian Party, the Green Party and the Republican Liberty Caucus have all endorsed his candidacy. The broad range of endorsements exposes the discontent with Rochester’s one-party rule, that the petition challenges sought to conceal.
In the race for New York City Council, Free & Equal helped coordinate the petitioning for Dan Halloran, candidate for the 19th council district.
Halloran has secured the ballot lines of the Conservative, Independence, Libertarian, and Republican Parties. Halloran’s signatures easily exceeded the requirements, and his signatures were not challenged.
“Free and Equal hit the ground running and helped secure the signatures to obtain four lines in a competitive New York City Council race: they were simply the best,” Said Halloran.
Also in New York City, the Reverend Billy Talen for Mayor campaign turned in over 18,000 signatures to the Board of Elections –more than double the requirement for Independent candidates. The signature drive, in which over 110 individual petition circulators participated, was coordinated by Free & Equal, Inc.
Two independent candidates for mayor were challenged and thrown off the ballot. None of the signatures Free & Equal, Inc. gathered for Talen were challenged. Talen is running on the Green Party line.
“We’re proud of our ability to increase the choices on the ballot for voters in New York,” said Free & Equal Petitioning Coordinator Sean Haugh. “Until we can change the laws so they are equal for all candidates, Free and Equal will continue to overcome these insane bureaucratic requirements for candidates all across the political spectrum, all across the country.  Our goal is to take this burden off the candidate’s shoulders so they can concentrate on how best to serve the people.”
Free & Equal, Inc. is a petitioning firm specializing in ballot access for independent and third party candidates. Headed by ballot access crusader Christina Tobin, Free & Equal, Inc. is a non-partisan firm that works with candidates from across the political spectrum. Free & Equal, Inc. does not endorse any candidates for office.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 2, 2009 –The State of New York has some of the most archaic rules to for petitioning candidates to follow in the nation. A focus on bureaucratic and clerical errors instead of voter eligibility often means that candidates who collected enough signatures are kicked off the ballot anyway.

Free & Equal, Inc. coordinated the signature petition drives for several candidates in New York state.

In the City of Rochester, NY the Democratic Party has controlled every single elected office for more than 30 years. The Democratic Committee claims this is because people are satisfied with their leadership. In reality, the Democratic Committee uses the petition challenge process to deny voters a choice.

Candidate for School Board Chris Edes’ Libertarian petition signatures, gathered by Free & Equal, faced an individual challenge brought by Marcos Cruz, son of Democratic City Council candidate Jose Cruz. Edes’ earlier petition for the Democratic party was also challenged. However, the Democratic signatures Free & Equal collected were of such high quality that the challenges failed without any defense being necessary.  After this, the challenger to Edes’ Libertarian party signatures simply gave up.

Edes was the only candidate in Rochester to survive a petition challenge.

“Free and Equal’s knowledge of ballot access issues and enthusiasm for democracy is an invaluable asset, for all who value popular government, and believe in the promise of freedom on which our nation was founded,” said the candidate.

Edes has received endorsements from across the political spectrum: the Libertarian Party, the Green Party and the Republican Liberty Caucus have all endorsed his candidacy. The broad range of endorsements exposes the discontent with Rochester’s one-party rule, that the petition challenges sought to conceal.

In the race for New York City Council, Free & Equal helped coordinate the petitioning for Dan Halloran, candidate for the 19th council district. Halloran has secured the ballot lines of the Conservative, Independence, Libertarian, and Republican Parties. Halloran’s signatures easily exceeded the requirements, and his signatures were not challenged.

“Free and Equal hit the ground running and helped secure the signatures to obtain four lines in a competitive New York City Council race: they were simply the best,” Said Halloran.

Also in New York City, the Reverend Billy Talen for Mayor campaign turned in over 18,000 signatures to the Board of Elections –more than double the requirement for Independent candidates. The signature drive, in which over 110 individual petition circulators participated, was coordinated by Free & Equal, Inc.

Two independent candidates for mayor were challenged and thrown off the ballot. None of the signatures Free & Equal, Inc. gathered for Talen were challenged. Talen is running on the Green Party line.

“We’re proud of our ability to increase the choices on the ballot for voters in New York,” said Free & Equal Petitioning Coordinator Sean Haugh. “Until we can change the laws so they are equal for all candidates, Free and Equal will continue to overcome these insane bureaucratic requirements for candidates all across the political spectrum, all across the country.  Our goal is to take this burden off the candidates’ shoulders so they can concentrate on how best to serve the people.”

Free & Equal, Inc. is a petitioning firm specializing in ballot access for independent and third party candidates. Headed by ballot access crusader Christina Tobin, Free & Equal, Inc. is a non-partisan firm that works with candidates from across the political spectrum. Free & Equal, Inc. does not endorse any candidates for office.

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Categories: New York

One Party Rule in New York State? Only If Petition Challengers Get Their Way

Posted by admin on August 25, 2009 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
August 25, 2009 — New York, NY—Democrats and Republicans are working together across the state of New York to ensure that there can be only one government approved candidate on the ballot for local offices in November.
In Suffolk County, the petition of the Libertarian Party slate for Sheriff, District Attorney and County Treasurer have been challenged.  The individual challenge comes from Rosemary Marchlowska, a Democratic Party State Committee member.
In Suffolk County, the Democrats and Republicans have cross-endorsed the same candidates for these three county offices.  If the challenge is successful, voters will have no choice on the ballot in these races.
In the race for Rochester Commissioner of Schools, candidate Chris Edes, already on the ballot as a Democrat, had his Libertarian Party signatures challenged.  That challenge comes from Mario Cruz, son of Democratic City Council candidate Jose Cruz.
Green Party candidate for Mayor of Rochester Alex White also had his petitions challenged. If the challenge is upheld, the mayor’s race will go uncontested.
“I’m running because no other party would put someone up to run against the Mayor,” White said. “Every politician, no matter what party, should be held accountable, including Mayor [Bob] Duffy. That is why I’m calling for all voters in the city to tell the Democratic machine that enough is enough. We want a choice at the ballot.”
Also challenged in Rochester is Diane Watkins, who is running for City Council.  Watkins was successfully challenged off the Democratic primary ballot, so she mounted an independent petition effort using the party label Friends of Diane Watkins.
About the challenge, Watkins said, “it has become a way for candidates and local political party staffers to… eliminate their competition before voters have an opportunity to choose…. It is proving to be a way to usurp grassroots democratic voting processes in favor of a ‘who you know’ candidate selection process.”
Also, in North Castle in Westchester County, Libertarian candidates also are being challenged.  Again, if these challenges are upheld, only one candidate would be on the general election ballot in these races.
Sean Haugh of Free and Equal, Inc. said, “We will looks vigorously defend the challenged petitions in New York.  Democracy means choice, not a one-party state.  The voters must have an alternative to the Democratic and Republican duopoly that control the politics of the state.”
Under New York state law, specific reasons for these challenges are due later this week.
Free & Equal, Inc. is a petitioning firm specializing in ballot access for independent and third party candidates. Headed by ballot access crusader Christina Tobin, Free & Equal, Inc. is a non-partisan firm that works with candidates from across the political spectrum. Free & Equal, Inc. does not endorse any candidates for office.
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For more information about Free & Equal, Inc, contact Sean Haugh at (919) 402-3489.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 25, 2009 — New York, NY—Democrats and Republicans are working together across the state of New York to ensure that there can be only one government approved candidate on the ballot for local offices in November.

In Suffolk County, the petition of the Libertarian Party slate for Sheriff, District Attorney and County Treasurer have been challenged.  The individual challenge comes from Rosemary Marchlowska, a Democratic Party State Committee member.

In Suffolk County, the Democrats and Republicans have cross-endorsed the same candidates for these three county offices.  If the challenge is successful, voters will have no choice on the ballot in these races.

In the race for Rochester Commissioner of Schools, candidate Chris Edes, already on the ballot as a Democrat, had his Libertarian Party signatures challenged.  That challenge comes from Marcos Cruz, son of Democratic City Council candidate Jose Cruz.

Green Party candidate for Mayor of Rochester Alex White also had his petitions challenged. If the challenge is upheld, the mayor’s race will go uncontested.

“I’m running because no other party would put someone up to run against the Mayor,” White said. “Every politician, no matter what party, should be held accountable, including Mayor [Bob] Duffy. That is why I’m calling for all voters in the city to tell the Democratic machine that enough is enough. We want a choice at the ballot.”

Also challenged in Rochester is Diane Watkins, who is running for City Council.  Watkins was successfully challenged off the Democratic primary ballot, so she mounted an independent petition effort using the party label Friends of Diane Watkins.

About the challenge, Watkins said, “it has become a way for candidates and local political party staffers to… eliminate their competition before voters have an opportunity to choose…. It is proving to be a way to usurp grassroots democratic voting processes in favor of a ‘who you know’ candidate selection process.”

Also, in North Castle in Westchester County, Libertarian candidates also are being challenged.  Again, if these challenges are upheld, only one candidate would be on the general election ballot in these races.

Sean Haugh of Free and Equal, Inc. said, “We will looks vigorously defend the challenged petitions in New York.  Democracy means choice, not a one-party state.  The voters must have an alternative to the Democratic and Republican duopoly that control the politics of the state.”

Under New York state law, specific reasons for these challenges are due later this week.

Free & Equal, Inc. is a petitioning firm specializing in ballot access for independent and third party candidates. Headed by ballot access crusader Christina Tobin, Free & Equal, Inc. is a non-partisan firm that works with candidates from across the political spectrum. Free & Equal, Inc. does not endorse any candidates for office.

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For more information about Free & Equal, Inc, contact Sean Haugh at (919) 402-3489.

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Categories: New York

Free & Equal, Inc.’s Flagship New York Petition Drive Avoids Challenge

Posted by admin on August 24, 2009 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
August 24, 2009 — New York, NY— Free & Equal, Inc announced today that the Green Party candidate for mayor of New York City, Reverend Billy Talen, will be on the ballot in November. This comes after the time period for individuals to contest collected signatures expired without a challenger coming forward.
“We are proud that the voters of New York City will have a chance to cast their ballot for Reverend Billy,” said signature drive coordinator Sean Haugh. “With the help of a small army of volunteers, Green Party activists and the professional Free & Equal petitioning crew, we were able to collect enough signatures to withstand a challenge. We’re glad that the major parties have chosen to let the voters decide in November who the next mayor will be, rather than the bureaucrats at the Board of Elections.”
The legal requirement for an Independent Mayoral candidate is 7500 signatures. However, candidates are forced to spend the time and resources necessary to collect well over the required number of signatures due to the frequency of petition challenges that occur in New York State.
The Reverend Billy Talen signature drive turned in over 18,000 signatures from more than 110 individual circulators.
Free & Equal, Inc. has been a part of several other signature drives in New York State. In the race for Rochester City Council, Candidate Chris Edes, already on the ballot as a Democrat, had his Libertarian Party signatures challenged.
The individual challenge comes from Mario Cruz, son of Democratic City Council candidate Jose Cruz.
Free & Equal awaits the specifics of the challenge.  New York state law allows for six business days before the reasons for the challenge must be disclosed. (NY state law allows for six business days before the reasons for the challenge must be disclosed) and we anticipate mounting a spirited defense of the signatures collected.
In Suffolk County, the county-wide petitions of the 3-candidate Libertarian Party slate have been challenged as well.
The individual challenge comes from Rosemary Marchlowska, a Democratic Party State Committee member.
“It is worth asking here: why is a Democratic party operative challenging candidates that traditionally take votes away from Republicans in a heavily red county?” said Haugh. “By August 31st, we will know the specific reasons for Marchlowska’s challenge.”
Free & Equal, Inc. looks forward to seeing Reverend Billy Talen on the ballot in November, and will vigorously defend the challenged signatures collected in New York State.
Free & Equal, Inc. is a petitioning firm specializing in ballot access for independent and third party candidates. Headed by ballot access crusader Christina Tobin, Free & Equal, Inc. is a non-partisan firm that works with candidates from across the political spectrum. Free & Equal, Inc. does not endorse any candidates for office.
For more information about Free & Equal, Inc, contact Sean Haugh at (919) 402-3489.
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Green Party NYC Mayor Candidate on Ballot, Other Candidates Face Dubious Challenges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24, 2009 — New York, NY— Free & Equal, Inc announced today that the Green Party candidate for Mayor of New York City, Reverend Billy Talen, will be on the ballot in November. This comes after the time period for individuals to contest collected signatures expired without a challenger coming forward.

“We are proud that the voters of New York City will have a chance to cast their ballot for Reverend Billy,” said signature drive coordinator Sean Haugh. “With the help of a small army of volunteers, Green Party activists and the professional Free & Equal petitioning crew, we were able to collect enough signatures to withstand a challenge. We’re glad that the major parties have chosen to let the voters decide in November who the next mayor will be, rather than the bureaucrats at the Board of Elections.”

The legal requirement for an Independent Mayoral candidate is 7500 signatures. However, candidates are forced to spend the time and resources necessary to collect well over the required number of signatures due to the frequency of petition challenges that occur in New York State.

The Reverend Billy Talen signature drive turned in over 18,000 signatures from more than 110 individual circulators.

Free & Equal, Inc. has been a part of several other signature drives in New York State. In the race for Rochester School Board, Candidate Chris Edes, already on the ballot as a Democrat, had his Libertarian Party signatures challenged.

The individual challenge comes from Marcos Cruz, son of Democratic City Council candidate Jose Cruz.

Free & Equal awaits the specifics of the challenge.  New York state law allows for six business days before the reasons for the challenge must be disclosed. (NY state law allows for six business days before the reasons for the challenge must be disclosed) and we anticipate mounting a spirited defense of the signatures collected.

In Suffolk County, the county-wide petitions of the 3-candidate Libertarian Party slate have been challenged as well.

The individual challenge comes from Rosemary Marchlowska, a Democratic Party State Committee member.

“It is worth asking here: why is a Democratic party operative challenging candidates that traditionally take votes away from Republicans in a heavily red county?” said Haugh. “By August 31st, we will know the specific reasons for Marchlowska’s challenge.”

Free & Equal, Inc. looks forward to seeing Reverend Billy Talen on the ballot in November, and will vigorously defend the challenged signatures collected in New York State.

Free & Equal, Inc. is a petitioning firm specializing in ballot access for independent and third party candidates. Headed by ballot access crusader Christina Tobin, Free & Equal, Inc. is a non-partisan firm that works with candidates from across the political spectrum. Free & Equal, Inc. does not endorse any candidates for office.

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For more information about Free & Equal, Inc, contact Sean Haugh at (919) 402-3489.

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Categories: New York

Free & Equal, Inc. Announces Signature Turn In for Green Party NYC Mayor Candidate

Posted by admin on August 18, 2009 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)
New York City — Free & Equal, Inc. announced today that the Reverend Billy Talen for Mayor campaign has turned in over 18,000 signatures to the Board of Elections -more than double the requirement for Independent candidates. The signature drive, in which over 110 individual petition circulators participated, was coordinated by Free & Equal, Inc.
“With the help of dedicated volunteers, Green Party activists, and the professional petitioning crew from Free & Equal, we were able to turn in more than enough signatures to get Reverend Billy on the ballot in November,” said Sean Haugh, coordinator of the drive.
A total of 18,395 signatures, gathered by 111 petitioners, were turned in to the  Board of Elections Tuesday. The requirement for independent candidates in New  York City is 7,500 signatures.
Many candidates for the upcoming New York City elections have run afoul of the Board of Elections due to the tedious requirements for nominating petitions. Major party candidates have not be immune to the archaic regulations governing the New York ballot. Free & Equal, Inc. stands behind the Reverend Billy for Mayor campaign’s signatures, and will vigorously defend any challenge that is presented.
“Free & Equal has taken the meticulous steps necessary to ensure that every “I”  is dotted and every “T” is crossed,” said Haugh. “We are confidant that the petitions turned in today will withstand the scrutiny sure to follow, and that New Yorkers will have the opportunity to cast their ballot for Reverend Billy Talen.
Free & Equal, Inc. is a petitioning firm specializing in ballot access for  independent and third party candidates. Headed by ballot access crusader Christina Tobin, Free & Equal, Inc. is a non-partisan firm that works with candidates from across the political spectrum. Free & Equal, Inc. does not endorse any candidates for office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 18, 2009 -New York City — Free & Equal, Inc. announced today that the Reverend Billy Talen for Mayor campaign has turned in over 18,000 signatures to the Board of Elections -more than double the requirement for Independent candidates. The signature drive, in which over 110 individual petition circulators participated, was coordinated by Free & Equal, Inc.

“With the help of dedicated volunteers, Green Party activists, and the professional petitioning crew from Free & Equal, we were able to turn in more than enough signatures to get Reverend Billy on the ballot in November,” said Sean Haugh, coordinator of the drive.

A total of 18,395 signatures, gathered by 111 petitioners, were turned in to the  Board of Elections Tuesday. The requirement for independent candidates in New  York City is 7,500 signatures.

Many candidates for the upcoming New York City elections have run afoul of the Board of Elections due to the tedious requirements for nominating petitions. Major party candidates have not be immune to the archaic regulations governing the New York ballot. Free & Equal, Inc. stands behind the Reverend Billy for Mayor campaign’s signatures, and will vigorously defend any challenge that is presented.

“Free & Equal has taken the meticulous steps necessary to ensure that every “I”  is dotted and every “T” is crossed,” said Haugh. “We are confidant that the petitions turned in today will withstand the scrutiny sure to follow, and that New Yorkers will have the opportunity to cast their ballot for Reverend Billy Talen.

Free & Equal, Inc. is a petitioning firm specializing in ballot access for  independent and third party candidates. Headed by ballot access crusader Christina Tobin, Free & Equal, Inc. is a non-partisan firm that works with candidates from across the political spectrum. Free & Equal, Inc. does not endorse any candidates for office

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Tags:
Categories: New York