6 Responses to “Politics: Constitution Party to convene in Peoria”

1. Conrad Stinnett Says:
   July 23rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm

   As a member of a 3rd party, I appreciate all 3rd parties and what they could bring to the country’s leadership realm. However, I wish they all would put more effort into securing local and state offices first, instead of national contests. Develop a presence in our communities and states, then go for the Federal offices.

2. TaxMeMore Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 1:45 am

   Conrad, that is a valid criticism but its not always fair. For instance, Merle Widmer isn’t running for Peoria County Board again. It would be practically impossible for a third party candidate to get on the ballot to try to replace him with normal resources. Illinois has a full slate law on top of one of the highest signature requirements in the democratic world for even county positions. Third parties can’t run for county or lower partisan races in Illinois unless they are sneaky and lucky or filthy rich. But if they run for US Senate or President or Governor and happen to get 5%, THEN they are free to run for local and county level offices for two elections at least.

   In the case of the Green and Libertarian parties this year, both of their Presidential candidates did develop presence in their communities by serving in the US Congress. I don’t know Baldwin’s history though. Chad Koppie, mentioned for US Senate above, has been involved with various political groups in Illinois for years and has run before. In Illinois, you file your President, VP, and US Senate on the same paperwork, so you might as well have someone for US Senate there too. If you get 5%, its worth it.

3. TaxMeMore Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 1:56 am

   Oops, correction. Getting 5% for Pres or VP or US Senate in Illinois does NOT let a third party run candidates for local and county races. Only 5% for Governor does. But 5% for POTUS, VP, or US Senate does save a 25,000 valid signature drive for statewide the next two elections, just not for the General Assembly or “below”.

   I would also add, Conrad, just be happy third parties are running ANY candidates in Illinois at all. The Libertarians are a good example in Illinois of completely missing perfect opportunities. They don’t run any candidates on their own any more. You’d be good just to get Illinois Libertarians to start thinking about running candidates outside the comfort of their little social club. That will show in the election results this year.

4. Conrad Stinnett Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 9:35 am

   Thanks for the clarification. It is a travesty that it is so hard for 3rd parties to get on ballots

5. Billy Dennis Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 9:37 am

   Doing away with draconian ballot access laws is one of the issues that can be addressed at a Constitutional Convention.

6. PhilCollins Says:
   July 28th, 2008 at 10:28 am

   I live in the town of North Chicago, and I’ve voted for a few Constitution Party candidates. I agree that more third-party candidates should run for local offices.

   I hope that, in 2010, many Constitution Party members will be elected to the state legislature and to county boards. Our candidates will probably receive more votes, if they have political experience. In 2009, all Illinois townships (1,034 of them) will hold elections for supervisor, clerk, highway commissioner, assessor, and trustees. The majority of Illinois towns will have close elections for mayor, alderman, school board, library board, and/or park district board. The petition circulating period, for the 2009 elections, will probably be Sept.-Nov. ‘08, but the state election board hasn’t chosen the exact dates. Please research the races, in your area, and campaign for yourself or another conservative.

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