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Schedule of Press Events for Reporters at the Green National Convention. |
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Monday, June 14, 2004 Contacts:
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Green Party of the United States has released a preliminary schedule of press conferences and other events of interest to the media at Forward 2004!, the Green National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 23-28. The schedule is subject to change. The Green Party will release a list of speakers scheduled for each of the press conferences within the next week. Following the schedule below is a list of 'Frequently Asked Questions' and answers about the Green Party, Green candidates, the convention, and the nomination. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS for media at the Green National Convention THURSDAY - JUNE 24 (Hyatt Regency, Room: Gilpatrick ABC) 3-4 p.m. - PRESS CONFERENCE on Convention rules FRIDAY - JUNE 25 (Hyatt Regency, Room: Gilpatrick ABC) SATURDAY - JUNE 26 (Hyatt Regency, Room: Gilpatrick
ABC) SUNDAY - JUNE 27 (Hyatt Regency, Room: Gilpatrick ABC) Media FAQS: Answers to Reporters' Frequently Asked Questions 1Q: How many states are affiliated with the Green Party of the United States? A: There are 44 affiliated state Green Parties. There are Green Parties in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Delegations from up to 48 states are expected at the convention. Accreditated and provisional caucuses have voting representation in the party's national coordinating committee, but do not send delegates to the nominating convention. 2Q: How many people belong to the Green Party? A: There were 297,964 registered Greens in 22 states as of May 2004. The definition and requirements for registration vary from state to state; there are many more Greens in states where voter registration does not specify political party. See http://web.greens.org/stats/ 3Q: How many parties have official Green Party ballot status? A: There are 23 state Green Parties with official ballot status. The party's Ballot Access Working Group expects the party to qualify in at least 12 more states. See http://web.greens.org/stats/ 4Q: What is the history of the Green Party in the U.S.? A: People have identified themselves as Greens and belonged to Green organizations for more than 20 years in the U.S. The Association of State Green Parties (ASGP) was formed in 1996 to promote the formation of Green Parties in all U.S. states and colonies. In 2000, ASGP nominated Ralph Nader and Winona LaDuke for President and Vice-President. In July 2001, ASGP voted to form the Green Party of the United States and apply for national party status with the Federal Election Commission. In November 2001, the FEC issued a unanimous opinion recognizing the Green Party of the United States as the National Committee of the Green Party. 5Q: How many Greens are running for office this election season? A: At least 307 candidates as of June 9, our second highest total ever, after the 558 in 2002. More are expected as elections near. See http://www.feinstein.org/greenparty/electionhistory.html 6Q: How many Green candidates are there for U.S. Senate and House, governor, and state legislature? A: As of June 9th: 7Q: How many Greens are in office? A: At least 204 Greens in 27 states held elected office as of May 2004. See http://www.gp.org/patience.html 8Q: What percentage of races do Greens win? A: Green Party candidates had a 44% win rate for elections in which they participated between January 1 and April 30 of 2004. 9Q: What is the presidential nominating process? A: Delegates will vote in multiple rounds until there is a simple majority for a candidate that will accept the nomination, or a simple majority for not fielding a presidential ticket. If there is a first-round winner, that candidate must formally accept nomination, or that candidate becomes ineligible and the voting proceeds to the second round. After the first round of voting, candidates who have not formally indicated in writing their willingness to accept nomination and to allow their names to be placed on all state ballots will be ineligible to receive votes in subsequent rounds. After the second and all subsequent rounds, last-place candidates and all candidates receiving less than 10% of the vote during the rounds will be eliminated except as otherwise stated in the convention floor rules. "No Nominee" will remain an option through all rounds of voting. Endorsement of candidates may only occur if the Party chooses not to nominate a presidential candidate. See http://www.gp.org/convention/process.html 10Q: How were the delegates to the convention chosen? A: Most were chosen by primaries or caucuses, with the remainder chosen by state party conventions. 11Q: What is the presidential delegate count so far? A: A: It varies from state to state. Some states are committing delegates to candidates through all rounds of voting, some are committing through several rounds only and some are not committing them at all. Some of the states that are committing delegates are doing so using mail-ballot primaries. 13Q: What has Ralph Nader told the Green Party about his plans? A: In a letter to the Green Party dated March 24, Mr. Nader said "I am running as an Independent and am not seeking nor accepting the Green Party nomination. If you do not choose a presidential candidate in Milwaukee, I would welcome your endorsement...." 14Q: If the Green Party endorses Mr. Nader, will that mean Green ballot access in the states where he's on the ballot? A: Not necessarily and it depends on the ballot access laws in each state. If Mr. Nader runs on the Green Party line, then the state may gain or retain ballot status based on the amount of votes he gets. But if he runs as an independent or on the Reform, Populist or any other party line, the Green Party in that state will not benefit from those votes. 15Q: Will the Green Party run TV ads for president? A: Yes. 16 Who are the speakers at the convention? A: Candidates who have at least 25 delegates pledged to them from at least three states may speak at the convention. At the rally following the convention, the following people are scheduled to speak along with the presidential and vice presidential candidates: Frank Zeidler, former Mayor of Milwaukee, WI Jason West, Mayor of New Paltz, NY Matt Gonzalez, 2003 Green Party candidate for Mayor of San Francisco, CA Dr. Agha Saeed, National Chairman of the American Muslim Alliance Medea Benjamin, 2000 Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate from California, Founding Director of Global Exchange and co-founder of Code Pink: Women for Peace. MORE INFORMATION search: prty, elct |