Jill Stein for President
October 27, 2016

Jill Stein: Why 5% for the Green Party is a win for America

In 1854, a few thousand people gathered in Jackson, Michigan to launch an independent challenge to a national political system dominated by two parties. "Of strange, discordant, and even hostile elements," a party leader later recalled, "we gathered from the four winds…[with] every external circumstance against us." This challenge was fueled by the radical abolitionist movement that united white workers and formerly enslaved Africans against the criminal institution of slavery, as a response to the political crisis caused by the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

In just two years, this insurgent third party — created by movement activists — had gained ground across the Northern states, challenging the Whig Party. In short order this insurgent "third party" had become a major opposition party. By 1858 they had won an influential foothold in Congress, and by 1860, that party leader — Abraham Lincoln — was elected President of the United States.

It's painfully obvious that the Republican Party has strayed dramatically from its early radical roots in abolitionism, equality, and peace. But it's also quite fitting that, in 2016, as that party is declining into dangerous reactionary know-nothingism, the opening for a new party rooted in radical equality, environmental justice, and peace to rise up is bigger than ever. Amid the raging flames of austerity, endless war, impending climate change, and the most polarized election in modern memory, a record 57 percent of Americans are yearning for another choice, and for an independent political party that will truly represent their interests, according to a recent Gallup poll.

"Casting a ballot for the lesser evil in a corrupt and failing two-party system — which only promises more of the same — is the very definition of a wasted vote."

This has been a bellwether year for the Green Party. As corporate, mainstream political pundits scoff at and attack my "unlikely" candidacy, we have been traveling throughout the country, talking with people from all walks of life and organizing on the ground with a fast-growing base of support from "unlikely" voters: millennials, indebted students, poor and working class people, immigrants, people of color, and many others who have given up on the two establishment parties out of disgust and frustration. Those who hear our message — for people, planet, and peace over profit, for canceling student debt, and for a Green New Deal that will revive the economy and turn the tide on climate change — become truly inspired and motivated to stand up for justice and democracy, as an engaged and informed citizenry should.

As we grow, we are coming closer to a tipping point for political change.

Just 5 percent of the national vote for the Green Party Stein/Baraka ticket can be a true game-changer for American politics. It will qualify the Green Party for recognition as an official national party, and for federal funding in the 2020 presidential race proportional to the amount of votes received — at least $8 million to $10 million. It would also secure ballot access in a number of states that automatically grant ballot status if the presidential candidate receives anywhere from 1 percent to 5 percent of the vote (varying by state). It means the party can leap over the undemocratic barriers to ballot access for independent parties in many states, and help us lay the groundwork for a truly competitive challenge to the two-party system and the corporate rule it perpetuates.

Our grassroots, people-powered campaign has achieved incredible gains in this election cycle, despite having had a fraction of the media coverage and an even smaller fraction of the vast resources of the two major parties. With the material benefits that come with 5 percent of the popular vote, we will have unprecedented resources to continue building this movement for progressive change, shoring up power from below, and paving the way for a new, sorely needed politics of integrity and transformation.

As Donald Trump's campaign implodes, Hillary Clinton moves ever closer to an electoral-college landslide. This gives voters an unprecedented strategic opportunity to vote Green to achieve the critical 5-percent threshold and launch the independent political movement Americans are clamoring for.

Casting a ballot for the lesser evil in a corrupt and failing two-party system — which only promises more of the same — is the very definition of a wasted vote. In contrast, every vote for Stein/Baraka and the Green Party is a true investment in the future. A majority of Americans are disgusted with the political farce we are enduring. They are desperate for a principled alternative to the predatory bipartisan establishment, and seek a positive path out of the two-party trap. Investing your vote in a 5-percent victory for the Green Party can make it happen.

Nov. 4 email from the Green Party of Minnesota

THERE ARE 5 WAYS A MINNESOTA GREEN VOTE WINS NO MATTER WHAT

Don’t waste your vote this election, #InvestYourVote.

Why should we allow the corporate parties to spoil our elections anymore? “Lesser evilism” has brought us everything we feared – erosion of our civil liberties and civil rights, mass deportations, ongoing wars and a massive refugee crisis, a meltdown of our climate and the crashing of our economy.

It’s time to stand up and say no more! And you can feel safer about your vote not helping someone you don’t want because we don’t live in a “swing state.”

Here are the 5 ways a Jill Stein vote in Minnesota wins no matter what.

1. JILL STEIN WINS THE STATE.

Ok, so this is an obvious one. In a state with a rich tradition of third-party politics we know it’s possible for third parties to win elections (remember Jesse Ventura? The Farmer Labor Party?). A win in Minnesota would undeniably rock the halls of power in our state.

2.  JILL STEIN WINS 5% OF THE VOTE STATEWIDE.

When a political party wins 5% of the vote for a statewide office such as Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Attorney General, or President, it is then recognized by the state as a Major Political Party. Currently the Green Party of Minnesota is a Minor Party. Minor Parties are required to gather signatures to put candidates on the ballot in any partisan race (State Senate, State House, US House, US Senate and all statewide races including President) which makes campaigning and candidate recruitment more difficult and expensive. Major Parties are granted automatic ballot access, are eligible for public funding of campaigns, and are included in debates and polls. Being a Major Party would also give the Green Party a huge boost in our ability to organize, raise our public profile, recruit candidates for local, state and national office, and influence Minnesota politics. Currently there are only two Major Parties in the state – the DFL and Minnesota GOP.

3. JILL STEIN WINS 1% OF THE VOTE STATEWIDE. 

Currently the Green Party of Minnesota is a Minor Party, but that status is lost if all of our statewide candidates receive less than 1% of the vote in 2018. If Jill Stein wins 1% of the vote this year our Minor Party status is renewed until 2020, freeing the party up to run more bold campaigns with more candidates statewide in 2018. Minor Party status is, of course, not as good as Major Party status, but it does recognize us as a political party and gives us access to some public campaign financing such as the checkoff on taxes.

Become a sustaining donor and help us hire a political organizer here!

4. EVERY VOTE IS A STATEMENT FOR WHAT WE WANT, INSTEAD OF A STATEMENT FOR WHAT WE DON’T WANT.

Aspirational politics is all but missing from modern government. Jill Stein and the Greens are pushing the important issues that are popular and desperately necessary to solve the major crises we face. The Greens are the only party advocating health care as a human right with a Medicare-for-all system, abolishing crushing student debt, ending fossil fuels and moving rapidly toward renewable energy by 2030, ending US wars in the Middle East by stopping the flow of arms and money to terrorist groups, and revitalizing the US economy with a federal minimum wage of $15 and a massive jobs program. History proves that "3rd parties" were necessary to push "major parties" to enact things like women's suffrage, the abolition of slavery, the 8-hour workday, Social Security, and much more. The platform of Jill Stein and the Green Party embodies concrete, practical plans to build the sustainable, equitable and peaceful world the vast majority of humanity yearns for. A vote for Jill is a vote for hope that we can have a system that really solves problems.

5. A STRONG VOTE FOR JILL STEIN WILL PUSH OUR COUNTRY TOWARD A FAIR VOTING SYSTEM.

When people feel forced to vote against a candidate they don’t want rather than for one they do want, democracy is broken. The easiest, most immediate way to reduce the fear that dominates national elections and start to repair our democracy is to implement a fairer voting system such as Ranked Choice Voting, now in use in Minneapolis and St. Paul city elections. By allowing voters to rank the candidates, rather than limiting their choice to just one, Ranked Choice Voting opens the field to more candidates and ultimately, to more parties. Shifting the US to a multi-party system like nearly every single other democracy worldwide is a longer-term change, but it can start with a more democratic voting system.

Find local down-ballot Green candidates by clicking here!

Green Party of Minnesota
http://mngreens.nationbuilder.com/
Nov. 4, 2016 fundraising email from Jill Stein for President
Subject: The Green Party is now a real threat. Here's why...
 

STEIN/BARAKA HEADQUARTERS

A PERSONAL ENDORSEMENT
FROM MARK LAMONT HILL


My name is Marc Lamont Hill and you’ve probably seen me on CNN, BET, and VH1, as well as other media outlets. I’m a Morehouse College professor and a lifelong activist.

I’ve been a Green Party supporter for over a decade.

And today, right now, I am giving my wholehearted endorsement to Jill Stein.

Why? Because like Jill, I have a clear vision for a just, peaceful, non-racist, and beautiful America.  

And frankly, our country is moving in the wrong direction.

I'm angry about the wave of neoliberal policies that are killing women, prisoners, and people of color. I'm distressed by the persecution of the poor, the dispossessed, and of our LGBTQ sisters and brothers.

Most of all, I’m frustrated that we keep electing politicians with the same worldviews, programs and policies - decade after decade - that got us into this mess in the first place.

Despite the fact that 57% of Americans want a new political party, we never invest in them or vote for them...and as a result, we never grow a third party.

As a nation, we cannot allow fear to block our broader democratic vision for our country. Instead of voting against someone or something, we need to vote our conscience - we need to vote for a better world. The Green Party has a strategy and a plan to build that world.

And for the first time in history the Green Party has a real and viable chance of getting 5% of the national vote.

If the Green Party gets 5% of the vote nationwide in this election, our voice ... YOUR VOICE ... will finally be heard. It will mean $8 to $10 million in federal funds next election cycle and visibility like never before. Plus the Green Party candidate will automatically be on the ballot in a number of states.

Your vote for Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka is an investment in that possibility. It’s an investment in the effort to transform this corrupt and decayed system - a system that favors the powerful at the expense of the powerless - into one that puts people, planet, and peace over profit.

I know the transformative changes a Stein administration will bring about. I’ve listened as Jill has outlined her programs that will promote freedom, justice, and true democracy.

Your vote is the first step.

Hold up your hand. That’s how many days are left for you to make an historic change. Please, will you donate to Jill’s campaign right now, so she can continue to get the message out?  

I’m raising my hand in support of Jill and the Green Party.  Will you do the same? Help Jill make this happen.

This is literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make it clear that an alternative movement has taken hold. We will revolutionize the world.

Today, while this email is in front of you, please give generously - as much as you can for Jill. It's up to us make the difference ... it's in our hands.

Marc Lamont Hill, PhD

P.S. We are putting every resource we have into getting those last crucial votes. Jill is going flat out. Please help her make this very real opportunity a reality with your donation today.

P.P.S.  Imagine what we could have done if Jill had been allowed into the debates this year!  That can be a reality with your help. Imagine the buzz that would be going through the media. Will you donate today?