Ballot Access News refers to both a monthly paper magazine and a website that is updated frequently throughout the day. Both are edited and published by
Richard Winger of San Francisco, California. Mr. Winger is a leading expert on ballot access law in the United States. Published since 1985, the newsletter advocates "fair and equitable ballot access laws." It reports on state and federal court decisions, compares American ballot access laws to those of other democratic nations, and documents the number of votes independent and minor party candidates receive. The newsletter also records the activities of the
Coalition on Free and Open Elections, an interest group of minor party members and others working together on ballot access law reform issues. Further, the newsletter occasionally notes developments on the usage of instant-runoff voting in the United States.
When ballot access restrictions are challenged in court, it is often argued that such regulations are necessary in order to prevent "frivolous" candidates from cluttering the ballot and confusing voters. Winger, however, has assembled evidence that unfair ballot access laws place an undue burden on citizens who wish to participate in the political process outside the two dominant political parties.
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Portions of this article were adapted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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