Jump to content

Americans Elect: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎Ballot status: Add Maine certified
Note state rules may vary
Line 5: Line 5:


==Legal Ruling==
==Legal Ruling==
The prior organization, Unity08, got bogged down in a legal fight with the [[Federal Election Commission]] (FEC) as to whether they were required to register as a [[political committee]] before selecting candidates. They initially lost, but this was appealed to the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit]]. On March 2, 2010, the appeals court reversed the lower court and allowed Unity08 (or any entity like it) to operate without having to register with the FEC.<ref>{{cite court
The prior organization, Unity08, got bogged down in a legal fight with the [[Federal Election Commission]] (FEC) as to whether they were required to register as a [[political committee]] before selecting candidates. They initially lost, but this was appealed to the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit]]. On March 2, 2010, the appeals court reversed the lower court and allowed Unity08 (or any entity like it) to operate without having to register with the FEC.<ref name=FEC_ruling>{{cite court
|litigants=Unity08 v. Federal Election Commission
|litigants=Unity08 v. Federal Election Commission
|vol=
|vol=
Line 56: Line 56:


Americans Elect is in the process of securing a line on the ballot in all 50 states for a ticket to be named directly by the people through the first-ever online nominating convention. Any registered voter can sign up to participate as a Delegate at www.AmericansElect.org. <ref>Troiano, Nick. "[http://www.policymic.com/articles/3833/as-gop-primaries-come-to-an-end-americans-elect-begins/category_list As GOP Primaries Come to an End, Americans Elect Begins]" ''PolicyMic'' Published February 2, 2012.</ref> The organization is attempting the process of being accredited in every US state, allowing it to place candidates on presidential ballots nationwide.<ref>Friedman, Thomas L. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/opinion/sunday/24friedman.html?src=me&ref=general Make Way for the Radical Center]" ''[[New York Times]]'' Published July 23, 2011.</ref>
Americans Elect is in the process of securing a line on the ballot in all 50 states for a ticket to be named directly by the people through the first-ever online nominating convention. Any registered voter can sign up to participate as a Delegate at www.AmericansElect.org. <ref>Troiano, Nick. "[http://www.policymic.com/articles/3833/as-gop-primaries-come-to-an-end-americans-elect-begins/category_list As GOP Primaries Come to an End, Americans Elect Begins]" ''PolicyMic'' Published February 2, 2012.</ref> The organization is attempting the process of being accredited in every US state, allowing it to place candidates on presidential ballots nationwide.<ref>Friedman, Thomas L. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/opinion/sunday/24friedman.html?src=me&ref=general Make Way for the Radical Center]" ''[[New York Times]]'' Published July 23, 2011.</ref>

In order to obtain ballot access nationwide, some states' guidelines require Americans Elect to register as a political party, even though federal courts have ruled<ref name=FEC_ruling \> they are not a traditional political party.


==Organization==
==Organization==

Revision as of 00:55, 4 February 2012

Americans Elect is a political party in the United States, self-described as non-partisan, hosting the first national online presidential primary in U.S. history. They plan to use an internet-based nominating process to field a ticket for the 2012 U.S. presidential election.[1] Despite being registered as a political party, Americans Elect describes its approach as nonpartisan. Americans Elect’s stated mission is to give the American people more power and more say in selecting presidential candidates, and providing more competition for the two major parties in November 2012.[2] They are an outgrowth of an earlier movement, Unity08.

Americans Elect is a nonpartisan non-profit and cannot support or oppose any candidate or issue. As a result, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) ruled that their predecessor organization, Unity08, is not a traditional political party.[3]

Legal Ruling

The prior organization, Unity08, got bogged down in a legal fight with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) as to whether they were required to register as a political committee before selecting candidates. They initially lost, but this was appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. On March 2, 2010, the appeals court reversed the lower court and allowed Unity08 (or any entity like it) to operate without having to register with the FEC.[4]

How it works

According to their bylaws, the only source of information on the organization's processes, Americans Elect will host a national online primary in two phases, ending with a convention in June 2012. The resulting ticket, chosen by their users will be listed on the ballot nationwide under the Americans Elect line. They have an open membership, allowing any US voters to draft and support their candidate of choice.

Any US citizen who is constitutionally eligible can be drafted as a candidate. Americans Elect participants, referred to as delegates, may also propose and vote on the Platform of Questions, a list of questions that all candidates must answer before the June phase of the primary.[5]

National presidential primary

The first phase of voting will identify the six most popular certified candidates through 3 rounds of online balloting. The 6 finalists will advance to the second phase of the primary after they’ve accepted the Americans Elect nomination and selected a Vice-Presidential running mate. (Declared candidates must select a running mate affiliated with any party other than his or her own.)

In the second phase, the 6 finalists will be narrowed down to 2 by a series of three more votes, with the last ending in the selection of the official Americans Elect candidate. If, during either of the first 2 rounds of voting during the second phase, any candidate receives more than 50% of the popular vote, victory will be declared for that candidate and subsequent rounds of voting will not be held.[6]

Certification by Committee

Each proposed candidate must be certified by the group's Candidate Certification Committee as capable of performing the duties of office. According to the bylaws, this is done using criteria of demonstrated achievements (developed by the committee) that are based on qualifications of past presidents and vice presidents. The members of the Candidate Certification Committee are appointed by the Board of Directors.

A decision of the Candidate Certification Committee can be nullified by a majority vote of all registered delegates.[7] Other than that, the bylaws do not provide any mechanism for direct or indirect representation of members or delegates in the certification of proposed candidates.

AE's rules say any nominee must be “considered someone of similar stature to our previous presidents.”[8]

Candidate party affiliation

Americans Elect is open to candidates from any party. When a candidate chooses a running mate, they must choose someone from a party different from their own.[9]

Nominating one certified candidate

The organization intends to narrow down its field of candidates in April 2012, after which the remaining six candidates must choose their running mates. Then, in June 2012, Americans Elect will choose its final candidate through an internet based convention, a process open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation. The intent is to provide a more open nominating process, resulting in better choices during the election.

Ballot status

As of January 2012, Americans Elect has gained ballot status in 16 states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine,[10] Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]

Americans Elect is in the process of securing a line on the ballot in all 50 states for a ticket to be named directly by the people through the first-ever online nominating convention. Any registered voter can sign up to participate as a Delegate at www.AmericansElect.org. [20] The organization is attempting the process of being accredited in every US state, allowing it to place candidates on presidential ballots nationwide.[21]

In order to obtain ballot access nationwide, some states' guidelines require Americans Elect to register as a political party, even though federal courts have ruledCite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). are co-chairs of the rules committee.[22] Wendy Drake is the (Chief Leadership Officer). Sarah Malm (Chief Communications Officer) and Daniel Winslow (Chief Legal Counsel) are listed as senior staff. Doug Schoen works as a paid adviser to Americans Elect.[23]

The organization has advisors from across the political spectrum.[24]:

Funding

The group was originally organized as a political organization and at that time tax documents show that Peter Ackerman, father of the Chief Operating Officer Elliot Ackerman, had contributed $1.55 million. In 2011, it changed its designation to a 501(c)4 social welfare group. Chief Executive Kahlil Byrd states between 300 and 400 donors have given Americans Elect $20 million, with no contribution exceeding $5 million. He states that the major donations are technically low-interest loans, the bulk of which the organization says it intends to pay back as it widens its contribution base so that no single individual will have contributed more than $10,000. On its website, Americans Elect states that it is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that is funded by individual contributions. AE claims that none of its funding comes from special interests or lobbyists.[25][26][27]

The group has been criticized for failure to fully disclose its funding.[25] Elliot Ackerman said that it is up to donors to determine whether they want to be identified and defended the group saying, "I think that's an unfortunate testament to the status of our political landscape that people feel uncomfortable about disclosing the fact that they're supporting an open nominating process." However, Fred Wertheimer, known for his work on campaign finance reform, said, "They must be trying to hide from the public who their donors are. This is a very strange way for a group to act that is complaining about the state of American politics".[27]

Association with Arno Political Consultants

Americans Elect's web site (retrieved 2011-09-24) lists Kellen Arno as National Field Director and Michael Arno as Ballot Access Advisor for Americans Elect.[28] Michael Arno is the president of Arno Political Consultants.[29]

References

  1. ^ "Americans Elect:Political Party that isn't". Capitol Weekly. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
  2. ^ "Americans Elect seeks to upend primary system". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-07-28.
  3. ^ "Americans Elect FEC Ruling" (PDF).
  4. ^ Unity08 v. Federal Election Commission (D.C. Cir. March 2, 2010) ("The judgment of the district court is Reversed."), Text.
  5. ^ "Make Way for the Radical Center". July 24, 2011.
  6. ^ "Americans Elect bylaws". February 1, 2012.
  7. ^ "Press Release: AE Delegates' Voices Heard, Changes to Rules are Implemented". December 22, 2011.
  8. ^ "The Future of Elections: Startup "Americans Elect" Plans an Internet-Based Third-Party Convention in 2012". PopSci.com. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
  9. ^ "Americans Elect 2012 Official Documents". americanselect.org. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  10. ^ Steve Mistler (January 26, 2012). "Cutler: Americans Elect gains Maine ballot access". Sun Journal. Lewiston, Maine. Retrieved February 3, 2012. Maine is now the 15th state in which AE has achieved ballot access.
  11. ^ Richard Winger (Jan. 1, 2012). "2012 Petitioning For President". Ballot Access News. p. 5. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper= (help)
  12. ^ "Arizona has a new political party". AZCentral.com. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
  13. ^ "Media Advisory: Americans Elect Achieves Ballot Access Certification in Michigan". americanselect.org. Retrieved 2011-10-01.
  14. ^ "AE Gains Presidential Ballot Access in Ohio for 2012". americanselect.org. Retrieved 2-11-11-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  15. ^ "AE Gains Presidential Ballot Access in Utah for 2012". americanselct.org. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
  16. ^ "Americans Elect Petitions Way Into Colorado Ballot as Minor Party". www.denverpost.com. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
  17. ^ "AE Gains Ballot Access in Mississippi". www.americanselect.org. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  18. ^ "California Secretary of State Americans Elect Gains Official Party Status". Retrieved 2011-12-19.
  19. ^ "Rhode Island Says Americans Elect Petition Is Valid". Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  20. ^ Troiano, Nick. "As GOP Primaries Come to an End, Americans Elect Begins" PolicyMic Published February 2, 2012.
  21. ^ Friedman, Thomas L. "Make Way for the Radical Center" New York Times Published July 23, 2011.
  22. ^ "A third-party solution". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  23. ^ Doug Schoen: ?Democrat??
  24. ^ "Who We Are".
  25. ^ a b "Irregular Times-Americans Elect". http://irregulartimes.com. Retrieved 2011-07-25. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ "Americans Elect: Donor Search". opensecrets.com. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
  27. ^ a b "Americans Elect seeks to upend primary system - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  28. ^ "Americans Elect 2012 Who We Are". americanselect.org. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  29. ^ "Arno Political Consultants". Arno Political Consultants. Retrieved 2011-09-24A. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Americans_Elect&oldid=474882243"