Libertarian Party of NY

Petitioning for the 2000 Ballot

The State of New York requires us to collect 15,000 signatures of registered voters in New York in order for our candidates to be on the ballot. That means we need to collect nearly twice that many, in order to be 'challenge-proof.'

When to Start

July 11th is the first day we can start petitioning. We'll have six weeks to gather 20,000 to 30,000 signatures across the state.

Where to petition

Downstate: besides the train and subway stations, other good places to approach people for signatures are Jones Beach, outside of Yankee Stadium, and Central Park.

Upstate: try local parks and SUNY college campuses (make sure the signatures are from NY State voters).

Look for public places where there are a lot of people are hanging around. Malls and other private property may require permits before you can petition. In order to prevent problems, make sure you print out a copy of the laws that protect your political activity on public property.

What to bring

• Two to four clipboards with large rubberbands to hold the petitions and pens in. Blay Tarnoff recommends lightweight foamboard instead of clipboards if you can find it.
• Literature about the party and the candidates: Harry Browne, John Clifton, and any local candidates in your area.

Signature Gathering Instructions
(from the 6/98 edition of FreeNY)

Print out the online version of the petition, and make copies of it. DO NOT photocopy these instructions onto the back of your petition sheets. You must be registered to vote in New York State to collect/witness signatures.

If you have signed another independent nominating petition, you cannot sign or witness signatures!

You can't witness your own signature. Have a friend witness your signature on a separate sheet.

Instruct the person signing not to use a title such as Dr., Mr., Ms., etc.

Instruct the person signing to give his/her street address only, no P.O. Box addresses.

Be careful about dates and signatures. Do not alter a signature. If the signer must alter or move his/her signature, he/she must initial the change. If you change a date, you must initial the change. You need not initial changes to addresses or town data. You do not have to be a member of the LPNY to collect or witness signatures.

Never argue with or try to convert anyone when working to get his/her signature. Smile, be friendly, and get his/her signature. Remember the 20 second rule: if a person doesn't agree to sign within 20 seconds, move on to someone else! Don't sacrifice the many for the few.

Carefully fill out the witness statement at the bottom. Any errors or omissions will invalidate the entire sheet. If your post office address is in a different town than your residence, or if you have a P.O. Box, you must put down both addresses!

Do not fill in the Sheet Number. We will add that when collating the sheets.

As soon as possible, give all completed signature sheets to your local coordinator, or mail them to: Jeff Russell, 55 Via DaVinci, Clifton Park, NY 12065-2903, no later than August 10th.

Good lines to use when asking for signatures:

"Excuse me please, are you registered to vote in New York State?"

"Anybody should have the opportunity to be on the ballot, don't you agree?"

"Sign on the dotted line."

Always check that a signature, name and address are legible before the person leaves.

Carry the signature sheets with you during your daily activities, you never know when you might have an opportunity to collect a signature or two!

Have fun.

More Tips from experienced petitioners

From Bruce Martin, frequent Libertarian candidate in Suffolk County.

• Sometimes, I just say "would you sign my petition", and they grab the pen. Only say enough to get them to sign the petition.
• Use the 20-second rule: if you can't get them to sign in 20 seconds, say "Thanks, have a nice day" and target the next person -- just go for the maximum number of signatures!
• If they seem reluctant, tell them that signing the petition doesn't mean you have to vote for the Libertarian Party -- it just gives them [us] a chance to run.
• If they do ask about the party, I whip out a postcard-sized quiz, and also write the new 800 number: 1-800-ELECT-US. You can also mention Harry Browne's race four years ago and now again this year, to end the income tax and make the Federal government *much* smaller (and less intrusive), and that John Clifton, our Senatorial candidate, wants to do the same thing.
• After signing, if they're sympathetic (or not, sometimes), I remind them to look for our emblem [pointing] and John Clifton on the ballot.

The Libertarian Party of NY's 1998 Gubernatorial candidate, Chris Garvey, offers the following advice:

• "If you can get the board or pen into his hands, chances improve. When the crowd is responsive, you can get one per minute. Two clipboards -- no waiting, but watch both signers. You are after all, a witness.
• "Don't let anyone 'sign for my boyfriend.' Such people are major party agents, looking to create an election fraud case against you, to invalidate all your signatures. Give her a blank sheet on which SHE can witness her boyfriend's signature and tell her to send it to Jeff Russell. He's listed on the petition on the committee on vacancies."
• Chris also offers a great line to try: "We need 15,000 signatures to get our candidate on the ballot, but we only need one from you."

Signatures collected should be submitted by August 10th to your local chapter president or directly to

      Jeff Russell
      55 Via DaVinci
      Clifton Park, NY 12065-2903

bring these with you while petitioning!

2000 LPNY Ballot Petition Print three out now!
2000 Libertarian NY State Candidates (you've got to know who's running!)
Voter Registration Forms if they are not registered to vote, give them this instead
also: pens, clipboards, the "World's Smallest Political Quiz," Libertarian Party cards, and a few of your friends!

Related Links:

New Ruling about petitioning allows you to petition across New York State! (need link to story)
Blank Ballot Petition. If you're running, let us know
Ballot access in New York State (from early 1994) by William Kone
Bob Schulz's fight for more fair ballot access November 1994 LP Press Release
The 1994 Petition Drive by Blay Tarnoff

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