Integrity did not prevail today.
Administrative Law Judge William Courtney ruled in favor of a position that has been consistently deemed unconstititonal. The first amendment is clear on political speech. Our freedom of speech has been violated.
Having out of state circulators, paid or volunteer, is common practice in New Jersey and throughout the country by Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens and Independents alike. There is an entire industry built around this one task of achieving ballot access. Circulators are the ones holding the clipboard and witnessing the signatures. Those who sign still have to be registered voters in the district.
I hope Secretary of State Dale Caldwell will reject the judgment recommendation as he did with CD12 candidate Sue Altman's challenge, two months ago for the same reason. I encourage everyone to contact the Department of State 609-292-6260 | Feedback@sos.nj.gov and tag
@DaleCaldwell on social media with your opinions.
My petition was not otherwise fraudulent, misleading or invalid. Hundreds of registered voters in District 7 signed my nominating petition. Those voters are now disenfranchised.
The Republican State Committee has not challenged candidates in previous years who have had out a state circulators, why now? They see me as a threat. Tom Kean Jr. has been missing from congress for over three months. They are afraid to compete with a candidate who is not beholdent to corporations, lobbys, or billionaires. They are afraid to compete will someone who will fight to end war, end state surveillance and who will actually show up to her job.
You see, this is not about election integrity. This is not about what's right for the voters. It's about eliminating competition. They hate competition.
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the country and deserves to have permanent ballot access in New Jersey. For too long, third parties have been systemically disempowered. Enough is enough. It's time for third parties to put our ideological differences aside and come together on this. I cannot do this without you.
Do you want political change? Do you want your future to look different? Then it starts with ballot access. It starts here.
I'm not giving up.
Be well. Be free.