Ballot Access News has some of the best information on ballot access. And, its editor/publisher Richard Winger is often very helpful with questions. The answers to all your ballot access questions can probably be found there.
That said, in a different place, I just stumbled across a very enlightening chart about ballot access for the presidential. You should definitely look up where your state is at. If it is not easy, then, try to fix it! (Probably for 2012!)
Also, take pity on your favorite major party insurgent, independent and/or third party candidates trying to organize in those states. Help, support, give money!
Found this chart on the web-site of the Socialist Party USA candidate for President: Brian Moore. http://www.votebrianmoore.com Thanks for the great work and sharing!
Summary of Ballot Access Requirements for Presidential Race 2008:
Easiest States to Access Ballot Status:
New Jersey—800
Mississippi—1,000
Louisiana—-$500 fee & 12 party electors
Utah—1,000
South Carolina—10,000 /or minor party
Vermont—1,000 /or-minor party
Arkansas—1,000 (Gov. M. Huckabee)
Iowa—1,500
Florida—paper work, SP electors
Rhode Island—1,000
Tennessee—25 electors (Ex-Sen. F. Thompson)
Wisconsin—2,000
Washington—1,000 (convention with 1,000 attendees)
Ohio—5,000–attorney challenge (Cong. D. Kucinich)
California—Peace & Freedom Party
Minnesota—2,000
Colorado—$500 fee (Cong. T. Tancredo)
More Difficult States to Access:
Alaska—3,128 (Ex-Sen. M. Gravell)
Maine—4,000
Wash. DC—3,900
Hawaii—-4,291
Kansas—5,000
Kentucky—5,000
Conn.—7,500 (Ex-Sen. C. Dodd)
Delaware—290 party / 5,800 cand. (Sen. J. Biden)
Idaho—5,984
Montana—5,000
Nebraska—2,500
Nevada–5,746
No. Dakota–4,000
So. Dakota—3,356
Virginia —10,000
Wyoming—3,868
New York—15,000 (Sen. H. Clinton & May. R. Giuliani)
Extremely Difficult States to Access:
Michigan—38,084
Texas—74,101 (Cong. R. Paul)
Georgia—42,489
Oregon—18,356
Pennsylvania—27,000 estimated
Illinois—25,000 (Sens B. Obama & H. Clinton)
Indiana—32,742
Maryland—32,500 estimated
Massachusetts—10,000 (Gov. M. Romney)
New Mexico—16,764 (Gov. B. Richardson)
Oklahoma—43,913
West Virginia—15,118
Arizona—21,500 estimated (Sen. John McCain)
Missouri—10,000
North Carolina—69,734
Filed under: Ballot issues, New York State Politics, president, presidential race, progressive politics, social & economic justice, third party Tagged: | ballot access, Ballot Access News, Brian Moore, Richard Winger, Socialist Party USA, third parties
[…] This post gives and idea of what it takes for a presidential candidate to get on each state ballot: Ballot Access Summary […]