Politics
Voters Will Have Fewer Minor Party Options in 2012
Around the State
Floridians dissatisfied with the major political parties will have fewer options next year.
When 2012 rolls around, there may no longer be a Real Food Party of the United States of America, Surfers Party of America or a British Reformed Sectarian Party for voters to join when they register.
Political parties in Florida with fewer than 5 percent of the state’s more than 11 million registered voters have been given deadlines that range through the first week in January to re-register after complying with a number of guidelines set by legislators last spring.
The Independence Party of Florida, Ecology Party of Florida, Florida Whig Party and the Tea Party of Florida -- technically, the Tea Party disbanded and re-formed under the new rules -- have each completed the process, said Chris Cate, spokesman for the Florida Department of State.
“At least six others have communicated an intent to re-register under the new law,” Cate added.
The Florida Pirate Party Chairman Ryan Moffitt said they are complying with the checklist, but disagree with the requirements.
“The current state of affairs in our government mandates we stay active to further the platform of government transparency, civil liberties and intellectual property reform,” Moffitt said in a release.
“That being said, it is the position of the Florida Pirate Party that stringent regulations that specifically aim to quash popular opinion and subvert the creation and maintenance of minor political parties are direct, inappropriate and despicable attacks on the fundamental fabric of democracy, and will only serve to further discredit the corporate-backed two party oligarchy all too common in the current American political landscape.”
He added that the Pirate Party wants the Legislature to repeal all measures restricting the formation of political parties in Florida.
John Daly, head of the Party for Socialism and Liberation/Florida, said he intends to complete the state’s paperwork, “... however, I have not received the checklist.”
Most other minor party leadership either couldn't be reached or didn't respond to email requests for comment.
The process includes providing a copy of the charter and bylaws that show:
Those who were registered members of any party dropped would be considered among those among the no-party affiliation.
More than 380,000 registered voters in Florida have opted for a minor party. Another 2.2 million have no-party affiliation.
The reform effort was enacted in part due to Josue Larose, a Deerfield Beach resident and perennial political candidate who set up 41 minor political parties prior to the 2010 election.
With names such as the American Billionaires Political Party, American Bourgeoisie Political Party, American Corporate Chief Executive Officers Political Party, American Film Stars Political Party, American Imperialists Political Party, American Jehovah's Witnesses Political Party, American Music Stars Political Party and American Royal Political Party, the vast majority of Larose's parties failed to attract a single registered voter.
Bill Stinson, chairman of the Objectivist Party of Florida, which intends to complete the checklist, supported the reason for the minor party review.
“If they are having a lot of fraudulent parties cropping up, it looks like this is a means to take care of that so they can verify these parties,” Stinson said. “You can’t just have someone open up a million different parties.”
The legislation prohibits any single person from organizing more than a single party or being the head of more than a single party. Party leadership must also be registered with the party.
When 2012 rolls around, there may no longer be a Real Food Party of the United States of America, Surfers Party of America or a British Reformed Sectarian Party for voters to join when they register.
Political parties in Florida with fewer than 5 percent of the state’s more than 11 million registered voters have been given deadlines that range through the first week in January to re-register after complying with a number of guidelines set by legislators last spring.
The Independence Party of Florida, Ecology Party of Florida, Florida Whig Party and the Tea Party of Florida -- technically, the Tea Party disbanded and re-formed under the new rules -- have each completed the process, said Chris Cate, spokesman for the Florida Department of State.
“At least six others have communicated an intent to re-register under the new law,” Cate added.
The Florida Pirate Party Chairman Ryan Moffitt said they are complying with the checklist, but disagree with the requirements.
“The current state of affairs in our government mandates we stay active to further the platform of government transparency, civil liberties and intellectual property reform,” Moffitt said in a release.
“That being said, it is the position of the Florida Pirate Party that stringent regulations that specifically aim to quash popular opinion and subvert the creation and maintenance of minor political parties are direct, inappropriate and despicable attacks on the fundamental fabric of democracy, and will only serve to further discredit the corporate-backed two party oligarchy all too common in the current American political landscape.”
He added that the Pirate Party wants the Legislature to repeal all measures restricting the formation of political parties in Florida.
John Daly, head of the Party for Socialism and Liberation/Florida, said he intends to complete the state’s paperwork, “... however, I have not received the checklist.”
Most other minor party leadership either couldn't be reached or didn't respond to email requests for comment.
The process includes providing a copy of the charter and bylaws that show:
- How officers are elected.
- How membership is notified of meetings and public functions.
- The party has a working website.
- How money is raised and spent.
- How delegates are selected to a national convention.
- How presidential electors are selected.
Those who were registered members of any party dropped would be considered among those among the no-party affiliation.
More than 380,000 registered voters in Florida have opted for a minor party. Another 2.2 million have no-party affiliation.
The reform effort was enacted in part due to Josue Larose, a Deerfield Beach resident and perennial political candidate who set up 41 minor political parties prior to the 2010 election.
With names such as the American Billionaires Political Party, American Bourgeoisie Political Party, American Corporate Chief Executive Officers Political Party, American Film Stars Political Party, American Imperialists Political Party, American Jehovah's Witnesses Political Party, American Music Stars Political Party and American Royal Political Party, the vast majority of Larose's parties failed to attract a single registered voter.
Bill Stinson, chairman of the Objectivist Party of Florida, which intends to complete the checklist, supported the reason for the minor party review.
“If they are having a lot of fraudulent parties cropping up, it looks like this is a means to take care of that so they can verify these parties,” Stinson said. “You can’t just have someone open up a million different parties.”
The legislation prohibits any single person from organizing more than a single party or being the head of more than a single party. Party leadership must also be registered with the party.
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