State News Release - July 29, 2002

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2002 CONTACT: Chris Driscoll (443) 415-5077

Schade is Running on Fresh Air, Clean Politics, and Corporate Accountability.

Takoma Park, July 29 -- Linda Schade, the Green Partynominee for Maryland  state delegate from District 20,will submit signatures tothe State Board of Elections in Annapolis today to place her on the ballot for the November 5 election.

Maryland, unlike most states, requires that third-party candidates gather signatures from one percent of registered voters in the candidate's district to get on the ballot.

Schade says her campaign has collected over 800 signatures, well over the necessary 466. "From the outset, I was fully confident that District 20 voters would support a Green candidacy. Even so, the community's enthusiasm has been striking."

Ms. Schade, who has been an active critic of corporate influence on the electoral process, is running on a platform of Fresh Air, Clean Politics and Corporate Accountability. She is not accepting corporate money, choosing instead to fund her campaign with contributions from individuals only.

"Everywhere I go, voters are outraged to learn that corporate contributions affect legislators right here in District 20. When they learn that our fresh air is being sacrificed for developer money, and our social services  are collapsing to fund tax breaks for Marriott and Discovery, they are moved to action."

The Maryland Green Party, which collected over 17,000 signatures in 2000 to become a recognized party, has a pending lawsuit against the state, challenging the constitutionality and fairness of the law requiring a separate petition drive for its candidates. The case is currently on appeal before the State Court of Appeals, Maryland's highest court, which could deliver a ruling any day.

Schade contends that the election law, which applies to recognized parties besides the Democrats and Republicans, damages the chances of third-party candidates running for office. "This anti-democratic petition requirement is designed by the Democratic and Republican parties to stifle competition," Schade said. "The citizens of Maryland deserve better."

Dozens of volunteers collected the 800 plus signatures over a five month period.

"Gathering these signatures required hundreds of hours of volunteer time that the campaign could have spent on more direct campaigning," Schade said. "Clearly the intent is to keep third-party and independent challengers doing busy work legal requirements rather than getting the message out. Happily, many dedicated citizens are willing to work hard to send an independent voice to Annapolis."

http://www.lindaschade.org

State News Release - July 29, 2002

Home | Press | State Press