How does an independent candidate get on the ballot?

[OKNancy]

I assume that each state has different rules.

I also figure that some Republicans might gather signatures for Nadar if the candidate needs signatures to appear. But it still seems like it would be a difficult thing, at this late date for Nadar to get on all the states ballots.

PS....I'm not worried about Nadar that much. I just don't think that many people will be voting for him out in the real world.

[Cuban_Liberal]

1. Each state has its own rules.

:)

[carpetbagger]

2. But who will go out and collect those Republican signatures?

That's the rub. Nader doesn't have the Green party volunteers to rely upon, and unless he can buddy up with one of the minor parties, I just don't see it. His core of support, without the Greens, will be nonalligned nihilists. Nihilists don't get out and do stuff unless they can break things or get arrested. Yeah, that's an exaggeration, but I just don't see people going out to get him on ballots.

On edit: My prediction: on the ballot in 15 states, and gets 0.4% in those states, 0.1% write-in in the other 35 states.

[snippy]

3. Agreed.

[mstrsplinter326]

4. repubs don't think nader is good

that sort of campaign would be self defeating. if nader got over 5% he would get federal election money, making him much more visable next time around. They don't want that. In interior states getting nader on the ballot would not be beneficial, since it's already going to the repubs. They don't need to praise a voice that would destroy them in any debate. Much the same way you won't collect signatures for Pat Buc.

[OKNancy]

5. Did some quick research on my own thread

and found this: http://www.ballot-access.org/winger/fsos94.html

I can't vouch for the accuracy of some of this, but it sounds like it may be more difficult that Ralph thinks. For example, it looks like some states require a candidate to be actually registered as an independent before they can run as one.

[MaineDem]

6. In Maine...

at least 4000 signatures are needed.

On edit: Must be returned by Aug 8.