North Carolinians for Free and Proper Elections

[NCFPE]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16, 2008

Press Contact: Jordon M. Greene – [email protected]

Many years ago, during the Civil Rights era, America finally came to its senses and recognized the fact that “all men are created equal;” that the color of a man’s skin meant nothing. That no matter what ethnic background an individual came from they were human, and were to be treated equally and ensured the same rights and protections as any other individual in society. Those days of intense, outright racial discrimination are over, but it seems that America still faces another form of blatant discrimination against the individual. Yet, this discrimination knows no color of skin, gender, or religion; it preys on the ideological beliefs of the citizen.

This discrimination is one against the people’s right to vote. For one hundred and seven years now, North Carolina has had regulations that severely hinder the ability of third political parties and unaffiliated candidates from influencing or in most cases even participating in elections in our state. Over time, our laws have developed from bad to worse, requiring in excess of 65,000 signatures to be gathered just for a new political party to get its candidates put on the ballot in 2008 and even more outrageous requirements for some unaffiliated candidates, ranking as one of the most restrictive states in the nation.

It is for this reason that Jordon M. Greene, current campaign manager for an Independent candidate for US Congress and activist in the Constitution Party of North Carolina, has formed a political action committee (PAC) called the North Carolinians for Free and Proper Elections. It is the PAC’s goal to educate the people about the ballot problem, identify the stands of candidates on the ballot issue, and push for free and equal elections in the US Congress and NC General Assembly.

The North Carolinians for Free and Proper Elections understands that not everyone in the state of North Carolina wishes to affiliate with either of the political parties that the state of North Carolina allows them; only Republican or Democrat. More importantly, those individuals much of the time wish to vote for candidates of their party, those who have the same political beliefs, yet it is nearly impossible for those candidates to get on the ballot. This affectively nullifies any right that these individuals have to vote, and what is freedom if we cannot even choose who represents us? The NCFPE believes that the freedom to vote one’s conscious is of the utmost importance and must be restored in our state and across the nation.

Sure, maybe the right to vote according to the state changed in 1901, but really now, when did voting become a privilege? It’s your right!

Note: The North Carolinians for Free and Proper Elections is a Political Action Committee (PAC) dedicated to a free and equal ballot, and the preservation of the Electoral College System and can be found online at www.NCFPE.com or contact via e-mail at [email protected].


###

North Carolinians for Free and Proper Elections - 2206 Planters Way - Lenoir, NC 28645 - 828-729-4509

http://www.NCFPE.com


Paid for by North Carolinians for Free and Proper Elections

 

[slacker921]

Who are the principles involved and how will they spend the money (they could just throw big parties for their friends and give a quick speech.. that would be "educating the public")?

I'd like to see how NCFPE plans to persuade die-hard Ds and Rs that their sacred duopoly needs some competition. Most folks I talk to would support any efforts by the Ds and Rs to PREVENT the third party candidates from entering the race and being that dreaded "spoiler". Ugh.

 

[NCFPE]

Who are the principles involved and how will they spend the money (they could just throw big parties for their friends and give a quick speech.. that would be "educating the public")?

I'd like to see how NCFPE plans to persuade die-hard Ds and Rs that their sacred duopoly needs some competition. Most folks I talk to would support any efforts by the Ds and Rs to PREVENT the third party candidates from entering the race and being that dreaded "spoiler". Ugh.

The North Carolinians for Free and Proper Elections is under the direction of myself, Jordon Greene. The PAC is currently very small and just getting started off. It is my goal to have an executive committee consisting of members from each party, or at least several of the parties in North Carolina. I myself, am a member of the Constitution Party, yet will welcome members of ANY political affiliation or the lack thereof to be a part of this organization, even Republicans and Democrats. This organization is not about 3rd Parties all overpowering Rep.'s and Dem.'s, but about establishing an equal playing field when it comes to the law.

As for "how will they spend the money," well, what does come in will be spent for upkeep of our website, literature to hand out about NC's restrictive ballot access laws, bumper stickers and Yard signs that hopefully will work to make people think about their right to vote. Other areas that funds might be dispersed are those such as the possibility of producing materials to oppose candidates for various office who have shown themselves to be particularly dangerous to the freedom of the ballot, either by their record as an elected official or response to our candidate questionnaires. It is highly doubtful that we will donate to any one candidate, seeing that the NCFPE does not specifically endorse candidates for office. At the moment most of the funds spent will be toward the website, and literature about NC's unconstitutional ballot access laws.

As to you concern that, "(they could just throw big parties for their friends and give a quick speech.. that would be "educating the public")," I assure you that this will not happen. I believe it would be a waste of the funds that individuals have donated to this PAC from their own income and labor to do such things. I can only give you my word, and that all expenditures/contributions are recorded in depth and are required by the State of North Carolina to be disclosed every quarter, of which they audit and check to make sure things are legitimate. These records are open to the public and I welcome everyone to review them if they please, though I do warn you that funds for the organization are not exactly high, and seeing that the PAC just recently started that not much has been reported, yet will be later.

One of the main ways we plan to educate people about the problem, is through posting the NC Election law sections that impose the restrictions on the ballot, and explaining what they do and how it affects the candidates and individual citizens themselves to show how it abridges their freedom to vote. We also are currently surveying candidates for various office from US Senate to the NC House of Representatives on the ballot issue, and once the candidate has completed and returned the survey we post their rating based on their answers online in our Candidates sections. Examples of this can be found here by clicking on either Will Adkins or Bryan Greene's name, both who have filled out the survey and their results are online. Through this we hope to eventually be able to help people identify which candidates stand up for their right to vote, and to run for public office no matter what political affiliation they may be.

From what I have gathered from talking with individuals from my state during various festivals and other venues (such as Gun Shows) is that people do not realize much of the time that these restrictions are in place, and once they find out they are appalled and express their opinion that these restrictions are wrong and should not be in existence. As for those who know about these restrictions, only a small, and I mean small, handful of the people I have come in contact with have expressed that they are in support of these laws, the vast majority of even those who know of these restrictions express their distaste for said restrictions. Not to mention, those who truly cherish liberty and freedom such as Ron Paul, support a free and equal ballot, this is what people want. Yet, so many have no clue the restrictions even exist. You mentioned that "Most folks I talk to would support any efforts by the Ds and Rs to PREVENT the third party candidates from entering the race and being that dreaded "spoiler". Ugh." Well I for one disagree, I vote based on principle, not solely on party, nor on viability, and do not subscribe to the idea that voting for a third party simply takes away votes from the Democrats or Republicans.

Some people, including me, feel that we should vote simply based on the candidate and our principles/beliefs and to do that means that some must go outside the two major parties. (Expect in the cases of some candidates in the Republican Party such as Ron Paul and B.J. Lawson) Note that approximately 40% of the nation is either not registered to vote or affiliated as something other than Republican or Democrat. Not to mention voter turnout has continued to be low (yet it may rise this election season, but the point still stands), and maybe it is has something to do with the fact that they are not able to vote for a candidate they believe in. So in reality, though it may take votes from the Republican or Democrat, it is giving other, citizens of this nation, the ability to vote their conscious. Either way, the NCFPE believes in restoring the right to vote and the freedom of the ballot.

Read this article by Ron Paul for more about the Ballot Problem:

End the Two-Party Monopoly!

I hope that this has answered your questions, and am sorry that it is so lengthy. You can visit the NCFPE directly by visiting our online headquarters at www.NCFPE.com.

For Liberty's Sake,

Jordon M. Greene
President/Founder
North Carolinians for Free and Proper Elections
www.NCFPE.com
[email protected]
"When did Voting Become a Privilege?"

 

[MozoVote]

Keep in mind, those of us planning to be convention delegates should not register with Americans Elect. It could give the NCGOP a reason to scrub our credentials off for "disloyalty".