Libertarian Party: Executive Committee Meeting 4/27/16 on Ohio Ballot Access

On April, 2016, there was a Libertarian Party Executive Committee meeting to discuss the issue of encumbering funds for Ohio ballot access. Please note that there was an message to the delegates from Ohio Executive Committee Vice-Chair Scott Pettigrew posted by IPR here.

Scott Pettigrew and Ed Marsh of Ohio were in attendance.

Repdpath spoke to the issue as follows: The Libertarian Party of Ohio (LPO) tried to pursue a party petition which would require 30,000 valid signatures and realized this was not going to work, and thus decided to pursue an independent petition which would require only 5,000 valid signatures. In order to have a cushion, 8,000 gross signatures would need to be obtained. Between volunteer commitments and the LPO, there will be 2,750 signatures accounted for leaving 5,250 remaining. There is a medical marijuana petition about to start in a week or so and petitioners can be obtained at $2.25 per signature.

Redpath moved for a $12,500.00 encumbrance to obtain these signatures and spoke strongly in favor due to the very affordable rate being obtained. After Memorial Day, this window will be closed. There is a rumor of a California initiative later this year that will pay $22 per signature. Lark seconded the Motion.

Pettigrew spoke also in favor stating that the Party and volunteer commitments are even greater in addition to a contingent $500 matching donation. They also have commitments from two Presidential campaigns.

Questions were raised about the identity of the group spearheading the marijuana initiative, but this was unknown.

Paul Frankel was in attendance and answered some questions raised.

Goldstein asked about pending lawsuits in Ohio and the chances of prevailing so that candidates could be on the ballot as Libertarians and not as Independents. Pettigrew stated that while it is possible it is a long shot, particularly considering the influence of Kasich in the state.

The Motion passed 7-0.