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In recent weeks, we have shared news about the candidates running, the signatures gathered, and forward momentum for independents this cycle. This week, we’re focusing on the fight to make sure independent candidates can even get that far. The Forward Party announced support for a lawsuit against the State of Texas this week, and we want you to understand why.
81,030 is the key number here. That is the number of valid voter signatures Texas requires an independent statewide candidate to collect, with only 30 days to do it.
The Forward Party is officially supporting Texas independent candidate for Lieutenant Governor Mike Collier who filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s ballot access requirements for independent statewide candidates. It was filed in cooperation with the Center for Competitive Democracy.
Here’s what Texas law actually requires: an independent candidate for statewide office must collect more than 81,030 valid voter signatures. That alone would be a serious challenge for any campaign, but Texas adds another twist. Independent candidates are legally prohibited from beginning that signature collection process until after the partisan primary runoff elections have concluded.
This year, that meant the clock didn’t start until May 26th, when Texas’s primary runoffs wrapped up. Independent petitions are due June 25th. That leaves independent candidates just 30 days to collect more signatures than most statewide campaigns gather in six months.
It gets more restrictive. Texas law also sharply limits who is allowed to sign an independent candidate’s petition. Any voter who participated in a party primary or runoff election is disqualified from signing an independent candidate’s petition.
Combine a pressed 30-day timeline with a shrunken pool of eligible signers, and you get a system that is not only expensive but also logistically difficult to navigate. That is by design.
As the lawsuit argues, these barriers serve no public purpose other than locking independent candidates, and the voters who want to support them, out of the democratic process entirely.
Whether it’s gerrymandered districts that reduce competition or ballot access laws that keep independent candidates off the ballot entirely, the result is the same: fewer meaningful choices for voters, and a political system built to protect incumbents and party insiders rather than the people they’re supposed to serve.
Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.
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Brand new this week on The Forward Party Podcast, is John Avlon, journalist, political analyst, and host of “How to Fix It” and special guest Khalil Ekulona, former NPR host and community storyteller. Together, the hosts and Khalil explore how media has changed over the last two decades and what those changes mean for democracy.
Click the image below to watch.
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Are you a Highschooler who wants to get involved? Do you have a Highschooler in your life who is politically engaged and wants to make real change in the world? The Young Forwardists are always looking for the next generation of leaders and they’re ready to welcome new members.
Learn how our state teams welcome brand new members to their party. We’ll work on phone scripts and email templates to get the most out of your new interested members.
Join us for a practical, energizing training on how to plan and run town halls that actually bring people together. You’ll learn how to choose the right venue, confirm speakers, promote the event effectively, and handle day of details with confidence.
If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com
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Contrary to what our detractors on social media say, YES, we read!
Maine’s RCV primary has finished and we now know who Rick Bennett (I) will be facing for the Governor’s seat – Bobby Charles (R) and Hannah Pingree (D).
Utah Senator John Curtis is walking 250 miles to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the declaration of independence. He’s walking from the northernmost point of Utah to his hometown of Provo.
Changing districts on your voters to cheat your way to more seats in Washington is a bad political move… who knew? We did – and so did all of you. Some politicians are starting to realize it, too.
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