February 1998
HR 2477 gets first co-sponsor
Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) has picked up the first co-sponsor for his pair of ballot access reform bills, which were introduced in the U.S. House last year.
U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-OH) has signed on as a co-sponsor to HR 2477 and HR 2478, according to published reports in Insight magazine.
And Paul's press secretary, Michael Sullivan, said several other members of Congress have been "asking for more information" about the bills -- apparently because of calls and letters from Libertarian constituents.
"Each [Congressman] said: My constituents are asking about [the bills]," said Sullivan. "It's definitely the result of real people in the real world expressing interest to their Congressmen about this legislation."
The two bills, filed in September, would reduce ballot access barriers for third parties -- and have been the subject of a nationwide lobbying effort by Libertarian Party members.
Sullivan said that lobbying will have to continue, if the two bills are to have a chance of picking up more co-sponsors -- or getting scheduled for a committee hearing.
"The single most important thing people can do is call or write their Congressman!" he said. "Every Congressman wants to be re-elected, and when they get calls and letters from constituents, they begin to take notice."
HR 2477 -- the Voter Freedom Act of 1997 -- would require states to establish "fair and uniform ballot-access standards" for candidates seeking federal office. At the presidential level, the bill would reduce ballot access requirements by approximately 85%.
HR 2478 -- the Debate Freedom Act of 1997 -- would prohibit presidential candidates who accept taxpayer-provided matching funds from participating in debates that exclude candidates qualified for the ballot in at least 40 states. Candidates who take part in such debates would be forced to return the money to the Treasury.
What you can do:
Call the Congressional switchboard at (202) 225-3121 or (202) 224-3121 and ask for the offices of the member of Congress from your district.Ask for their commitment to co-sponsor HR 2477 and HR 2478. Tell them it's time to level the playing field for third-party candidates.
