More may be added later, if necessary. I have a good paper on the subject from the 1995 petition drive to put the Reform Party on the Ohio ballot (to put Ross Perot on the ballot as the 1996 Reform Party candidate for President). Until revisions are made, here are a few hints that cover what is possible now. The general discussion of the dynamics encountered in gathering petition signatures applies in every state. Rich Stevenson

Go where crowds gather, or where people go to shop. If property owners tell you to go away, move on to the next location. Police opposition to any petition activity is common. Apparently, police officers view petition circulation as low-level riot activity that needs to be controlled before it gets out of hand. Uncontrolled, unauthorized, or unlicensed activity of any kind without police permission (or knowledge) is often seen by many police officers as just one more problem to handle. We could advise the police of what we are doing in advance. It could only help. In suburbia, also called exurbia, most "public" areas are privately owned.

In city streets and public areas, people walk and gather in places not privately owned. Public squares within metro areas may be included as "urban." Only the police can ask you to move along, so these areas are in some ways more hospitable to petitioning. Large areas around sports arenas and public entertainment events are also public areas. Large crowds before and after shows or events provide good opportunities for public petitioning. Student and academic communities surrounding colleges and universities are filled with people willing to embrace change and open ballot access. Creativity is considered natural there.

Some good places to find willing signers are bowling alleys, flea markets, and amateur level sporting events. Democracy is still seen as a reasonable aspiration in many hearts and minds found there. Many of these people are the underrepresented, and they know it. To these good people of the underpaid working class, "Change is good."

Many private property owners forbid petitioning on their property. Shopping centers, the chain store owners, and mall owners are often included in this group. Many of these people are well represented by the monopoly "two-party system," and they know it. To these supporters of the wealthy elite, "Change is bad."  (Top of Page)

The IVA Petition Strategy: When the IVA has certified enough active IVA petition circulators, public signature gathering will no longer be necessary. Each circulator will obtain valid signatures from friends, family, neighbors and acquaintances during their everyday private activities. Two to twenty valid signatures from each circulator, will produce the many signatures needed.  Precinct voter lists can be used to obtain all the pre-qualified signatures needed on petitions we circulate.

Private Signature Gathering: Gathering signatures in private is much more efficient and effective for a few reasons. The petition circulator knows the signers, so signatures are much closer to 100% valid. At public events and locations, many of the persons the circulator approaches will not be eligible to sign. The ineligibles are the legal residents of another state, or they reside outside of the electoral district and are ineligible to vote for the candidate or for the issue. Talking to ineligible signers is especially common if the petition is circulated near a state or county border or near the corner of a state where several state borders meet. Hamilton County and Cincinnati, Ohio fit the very common latter situation. Any amount of wasted effort decreases motivation for further civic participation.

The greater the number of qualified IVA certified petition circulators we have to participate, the more ballot choices we can have to elect nonpartisan public office holders to end the bipartisan culture of corruption in public life. We can fire the Democrats and the Republicans. We can elect many new nonpartisan and minor party public office holders to represent us.

Urge everyone you know to participate. Share the load. Your vision for a more democratic republic will be reality in the lives of your children and your grandchildren.

Continuous Cooperative Ballot Access: Twenty signatures every two years from 5,000+ OHIVA petition circulators (100,000+ signatures) from friends, neighbors, and family will certify OHIVA ballot access for all future elections. Every legislative candidate using OHIVA ballot access will need just 25 valid signatures, not 1000s, for ballot access. Statewide candidates will need just 1000, not 5000 valid signatures. With ballot access assured, nonpartisan candidates can successfully compete with the bipartisan monopoly.

Each state requires different numbers. (Top of Page) (Your Voice)

Ballot access petitions will be available on IVA web pages and other web pages for use by populist nonpartisan citizens. Freedom is participation in power.

Be a proactive petition circulator and Election Day participant.

Be a proactive citizen in your voting precinct.

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 IVA Leader Page

Bad News. Voter Apathy

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