Have you ever wished you could register as a libertarian in Rhode Island? A bill the General Assembly is considering this week could make that happen, but we need your help getting it passed!
RI House Bill 7766 was recently scheduled for hearing and/or consideration on Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024, at the rise of the house. We encourage all who support minor party ballot access to come and voice your support for this legislation.
Entitled “An Act Relating to Elections – General Provisions,” House Bill No. 7766 would redefine what “Political Party” means in Rhode Island. The bill would distinguish between “major parties” and “minor parties” based on the total number of votes a party’s candidate received in the previous election.
This bill helps alternative political parties by lowering the threshold of total votes required to gain “major party” status. Instead of having to gain 5% of the vote to be recognized as a political party, alternative parties would only have to gain 2% of the vote to be recognized as a major political party.
H7766 would also expand the number of races parties can run candidates in to qualify for ballot access. Instead of just the presidential and gubernatorial races, the performance of a party’s candidate in any federal or statewide race could make them eligible for major party status.
This bill also defines a new “minor party” status which provides a new way for minor parties to organize and gain ballot access through voter registration, simplifying the current process and providing voters a new way to register with whichever party they choose.
Please visit Rhode Island Voters for Election Reform (RIVER) at https://riverpac.org/ for more information about this important legislation.
H7766 becoming law would make the LPRI’s ballot access efforts infinitely easier. It would boost the party in a number of ways, but perhaps most importantly, by creating a simplified path to allowing Rhode Islanders to register as libertarians.
But we need your help to make it happen. We’d love it if you’d show up for Tuesday’s public hearing so we can let legislators know how important this bill is. If you can’t attend the public hearing in person, you can still email the members of the House State Government and Elections Committee and let them know that you support this bill and so should they.