The Prohibition Party has released the first issue of its official newsletter, the National Prohibitionist, in over a year, providing updates on its presidential ticket and other party business-related topics. The publication is now edited by National Secretary Jonathan Makeley.
The National Prohibitionist was previously issued quarterly but ceased after the third quarter of 2023 due to the passing of longtime editor James Hedges. Hedges, who was the Prohibition Party’s Vice Chair at the time of his passing and its 2016 presidential nominee, had served as editor for eleven years. The party reports that Makeley, the Prohibition National Secretary, is now managing the newsletter.
The October issue explores efforts by the Prohibition Party to secure ballot access for its presidential ticket of Michael Wood and John Pietrowski, as well as other aspects of the campaign. As in previous editions, it features commentary by the party chair, outlines recent state and national advocacy efforts, and includes various highlights from the party’s history.
The Prohibition Party states that its presidential ticket will appear on the ballot in Arkansas and Guam, with write-in recognition available in nine additional states. The party reports that it had sought to get on the ballot in more states; however, restrictive ballot access laws in states like Colorado prevented them from doing so. The party also adds that it attempted to pool its resources in certain areas and work with other third parties where applicable.
“We had hired a ballot access contractor to help with gathering signatures and preparing ballot access petitions in several states. But the petitions for those states weren’t completed in time for us to be able to get on the ballot,” the party wrote.
In an effort to increase visibility, the Prohibition Party has also begun using social media to promote its platform and presidential ticket, running Facebook ads in Arkansas and Guam, along with Instagram ads solely in Arkansas. Since launching its ad campaign, the party claims to have reached over 120,000 users, including nearly one-third of adult Facebook users in Guam.
Looking ahead, the party aims to grow its base membership by engaging more with prevention groups, anti-tobacco advocates, and other health-focused organizations, as well as reaching out to sympathetic academics and media figures. Similar to its New York affiliate, the national organization also plans to connect with local advocacy groups centered around addressing the harms of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Why though? Do they think if they win in Guam, because Guam has an 80% accurate prediction rate, they will have an 80% chance to miraculously win the presidential election without having access to the necessary electoral votes? Do they, more realistically, think doing well in the Guam straw poll is a relatively cost-effective way to get good press and attention? Why concentrate so much on a race that doesn’t matter, when they could have been on the ballot in more states which do?
The Prohibition Party is also running Facebook ads encouraging residents of Guam to vote in their non-binding presidential election.
It used to be easy to get on the ballot in Colorado. When did that change?
“We had hired a ballot access contractor to help with gathering signatures and preparing ballot access petitions in several states.”
Hope they only charged a contingent fee per state, but somehow I doubt it.
“the Prohibition Party has also begun using social media to promote its platform and presidential ticket, running Facebook ads in Arkansas and Guam, along with Instagram ads solely in Arkansas.”
Surely, nowhere is the temperance movement more popular these days, than among the wine moms on facebook, the crack whores on instagram, and members of our famously sober and abstinent overseas military…
“Since launching its ad campaign, the party claims to have reached over 120,000 users, including nearly one-third of adult Facebook users in Guam.”
Guam, with its many presidential electors… Glad to see they have their priorities straight.
“the national organization also plans to connect with local advocacy groups centered around addressing the harms of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.”
One of these three is not like the others
Two of these three here do not belong
Can you tell the substance unlike the others
By the time I finish this song
Spoiler: alcohol and tobacco aren’t drugs.
One state ballot access? That is just sad.