Governor Cuomo and the leaders of the State Legislature are using the current COVID-19 crisis to destroy the Green Party in New York by changing our state’s ballot access requirements to be among the worst in the nation. Included in the state budget bills this year were changes to ballot thresholds that could be poison for the Green Party and other smaller parties in NY.
We are urging you to please call or write your representatives in the state Assembly and Senate, and tell them that they must undo the legislation that undermines a New York voter’s choice of political party. It is essential that this is changed, or there may be no more Green Party after November 2020.
Previously, in order to gain an automatic ballot line, a political party had to have its nominee for Governor receive 50,000 votes each four-year cycle. The new law significantly increased that requirement to 2% of votes or 130,000, whichever is greater, every two years, in gubernatorial and presidential elections.
Additionally, statewide candidates seeking to get on the ballot must gather 45,000 petition signatures from registered voters, up from 15,000 previously.
Take Action (link above brings you here)
Find the Contact Information For Your Representatives In The NY State Assembly and Senate.
Assembly members.
Senate members.
Tell them: “My name is ________ and I am a constituent of Assembly Member/Senator ___________. I want more political choice in New York State, not less. I am counting on you to demand that the legislature repeal the legislation making New York’s ballot access laws for grassroots parties like the Green Party among the worst in the nation. NY voters want and deserve diverse political parties that reflect their perspectives.”
Email Cuomo, Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie
Click here to email Gov. Cuomo
Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie: Speaker@nyassembly.gov
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: scousins@nysenate.gov
“Dear Gov. Cuomo/Speaker Heastie/Leader Stewart-Cousins,
“My name is ________ and I am writing to tell you I want more political choice in New York State, not less. The recently passed changes to election law will make New York’s ballot access laws for grassroots parties like the Green Party among the worst in the nation. NY voters want and need diverse political parties that reflect their perspectives. Please act immediately to repeal the anti-democratic ballot access laws”.
New York is one of the most progressive states in the nation. Allowing our diverse population to have a choice is what makes New York’s character so appealing to so many. Our residents deserve to have choices representative of who they are. With a population of 19 million, New Yorkers are seeking more options, not less. We urge Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature to allow voters to continue making the decision.
