asking Al Gore to run in 2008!
Getting Gore on the Ballot in California
Posted April 6th, 2007 by marchmoon
I just posted a forum topic on this in much more detail, but I wanted to bring it up here, because I think there is an excellent chance of getting Gore on the California Democratic Primary Ballot.
In short: The early test is to show the Sec. of State, Debra Bowen, that Gore is "generally advocated for" in California. This shouldn't be too hard to do, because it is true!
The easiest and most direct route is to get all the California Draft Gore Petition signatures onto her desk.
We could also try and get the upcoming CA Dem Convention in San Diego (April 27-29) to pass a resolution saying as much, but time is running short for that. There is only a couple more weeks, and we would need 25 delegate signatures. I could probably get 10, but I would appreciate any help. Of course that is just getting it introduced. Getting it passed is another issue.
More cumbersome would be if we had to do a petition drive to get Al Gore (or Draft Gore as an "uncommitted delegation" on the ballot. This would involve collecting 500 signatures from EACH of the 53 Congressional Districts in CA. Not a huge task, but it would have to be done between September 8th and December 4th. Obviously, the earlier, the better.
Gore could always have his name removed by writing to the CA SoS and stating that he is not a candidate at this time...
I kind of like the idea of putting Draft Gore on the ballot as an uncommitted delegation, but any of these options is equally fabulous.
Maybe other states have simiar provisions?
There is more detail in the forum listed above. The relevant Sections6041 and 6060. Here is the calendar.
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Molly in San Pablo
Gore on California Ballot
Marchmoon,
Yes it's way too early but not too early to think about it.
Each state Democratic Party will be putting together a Delegate Selection Plan which will include all filing dates as well as numbers of democratic signatures necessary for the Candidate to appear on the Ballot and his or her Delegates.
I just received the plan (tentative) for Pennsylvania.
Note that I said tentative because there is a public comment period and then a date in September when it will be finalized.
Usually, your primary date is preceded by a couple of months of dates such as first date to circulate petitions and then a last date (filing date). Here in PA it will take 250 qualified
Democratic voters signatures and 3 weeks later we file. Usually, you want to get as many signatures as possible just in case some folks signatures are deemed invalid because they haven't voted in the last election.
Some weeks later, ballot positions are assigned and you have a couple of months before the election.
Again, here in PA, there will be a "Beauty Contest" and Delegate selection on the same ballot.
The "Beauty Contest" here is just that..it doesn't really count, what counts though is your Delegate vote.
And there is also the 15% rule that to get a delegate you have to have at least 15% of the vote.
Delegate seats are selected in Congressional Districts and here in the PA 8th we have 3 men,3 women and one alternate. The alternate serves in case someone gets sick.
Each Primary State may differ and some choose their first delegates in a caucus (meeting) type setting.
Caucus States like Iowa choose their Delegates by Caucus only meaning a series of tiered meetings.
Your Regional Director will handle getting the plans but you should be able to look them up at your State Democratic Party Website.
In many states this will be early but once we get the data that will save time once Gore announces.
The most important first step here is being able to gather folks who want to help by signing a Candidate Petition or Delegate Petition. Our little "Draft" Petition can be a help in recording potential folks that will help us.
Remember, the above steps in some states will begin possibly in December.
Al Gore has great ratings and he's not even trying!
It looks like his favorables are in a long-term uptrend and his unfavorables are declining.
Al Gore: Favorability Ratings
USA Today/Gallup Poll. March 23-25, 2007. N=1,007 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.
http://www.pollingreport.com/G.htm#Favorability
Petition for California Primary
It would be great to have a decision and petition available for Earth Day activities.
That is a little early
I think that for Earthday is outside of the window for getting Gore qualified on the ballot. But it is a fabulous opportunity to circulate the normal Draft Gore petition and to get people who are interested in actively Drafting Gore.
Getting a list of contacts for after, when the signatures will be valid (September 8th) would definitely be worthwhile. But remember that they will have to be registered Democrats for the signatures that will be needed for inclusion on the ballot.