The Green Party of Texas called on the Texas Democratic Party to give Texans democratic options in the November elections. Over 90,000 signatures of registered voters were turned in to the Secretary of State in May. These petitioners indicated that they wished to see Green Party candidates on the November ballot. The day after the Secretary of State's office certified the petitions, the Texas Democratic Party filed a temporary restraining order against the Green Party, attempting to prohibit Green Party candidates from appearing on 2010 ballots.
Based on the unfounded allegations presented in the Dallas Morning News, the Texas Democratic Party accused the Green Party of accepting illegal campaign contributions. The Democratic Party claimed that its candidates would be "harmed" by the presence of Green Party candidates on the ballot.
In response to this action, Green Party of Texas co-chair Christine Morshedi stated, "Although we feel the ballot access laws in Texas are unnecessarily restrictive, it is the system that we are working under. We have complied fully with the spirit and the letter of the law. I regret that the Democratic Party has seen fit to launch a lawsuit based on unfounded allegations. We are determined to do all we can to bring an alternative message to the Texas public."
More...
The Green Party obtained ballot access in Texas for the first time in eight years by satisfying the requirements of the state's election laws. Political parties wishing to be on Texas ballots in 2010 were required to submit about 45,000 signatures of Texas voters. These signatures had to be collected within a 75-day period, and Texans who voted in primary elections were not eligible to petition.
Morshedi added, "The ensuing wild goose chase in search of a non-existent conspiracy between Greens and Republicans is an embarrassment to those Democrats who believe in open and equal access to the ballot. It is an embarrassment to all people who believe in a democracy that encourages civic participation and freedom of speech. The Green Party looks forward to a quick resolution, and we will continue complying with all laws and regulations in order to represent the hopes and dreams of Texans."
The Green Party of Texas believes:
that power derives from the people, not corporate sponsors
that social justice and equal opportunity are essential to the American way of life
that ecological sustainability is possible within our lifetimes
that economic sustainability begins by rebuilding local and rural economies
that violence in the home or across the sea is not a lasting solution
These progressive stances do not emanate from liberal or conservative ideologies but from a pragmatic desire to build a better future.
The full Green Party platform can be read here.
http://txgreens.org/drupal/Platform
