Just last week we received word from the Hawaii Secretary of State that the Constitution Party is now officially recognized as a ballot-qualified party in that state. This is the first time ever that the Constitution Party has achieved ballot access in Hawaii in a mid-term election. The party completed the signature drive in mid-February, but by state law, the petition could be challenged within 20 business days of when the final petitions were submitted to the state for verification. That deadline was March 7th and the following day the Hawaii Secretary of State confirmed that no one had challenged our petition thereby qualifying the party for ballot status.
Other big news for the party is our ballot petitioning effort going on in North Carolina. Gaining ballot access in that state will be a landmark achievement. By this weekend, we should be able to surpass the 6,000 signature mark. If the validity rate of 83% holds up we should be able to secure the required 12,000 valid signatures with a total of about 15,000. We continue to average getting about 1,200 signatures a week in spite of the inclement weather being experienced in that state. At this rate, we should be able to complete the signature drive before the end of April….a full month before the deadline. Since completing the petitioning in Hawaii Nicholas Sumbles has been gathering signatures in North Carolina.
Besides Nicholas’ work, we have volunteers working gun shows every weekend and the number of volunteers grows each week. The goal of the party leaders is to gather signatures in all 100 counties in the state. At this point, they have succeeded in getting signatures from 93 of the counties. This is a most remarkable feat and has been possible only because of the increased number of volunteers who are gathering signatures. However, in order to reach our goal we are going to need additional financial assistance from our supporters. We are paying Nicholas $2.00 a signature which is a very reasonable rate compared to what other professional signature gathers have quoted us.
This is where we need your help and we need it very urgently. We must keep the funds coming in so that we can keep Nicholas there. A donor from North Carolina has offered to match dollar for dollar any funds that we raise up to $4,250.00. Due to the generosity of our supporters, we are close to qualifying for the total amount of the matching funds, but we are still going to need additional donations to reach our 15,000 signature goal. If you are in a position to donate any amount please go to www.constitutionparty.com and donate what you can to ballot access. If you wish, you may also send a check payable to the Constitution Party to P O Box 1782 Lancaster, PA 17608. A donation of $5.00, $10.00, $15.00, $20.00, $25.00. $50.00. $100.00, $500.00, or whatever you are able to donate would be deeply appreciated. It is urgent that we raise those funds immediately.
Gaining ballot access in North Carolina will open other doors for us in yet more states. Again, I plead with you to give what you are able to. Then share this message with family and friends of like mind. Your sharing this message with others is paying off as we are receiving donations from people who have never donated to the party before. I can not thank you enough for the effort you are making to help us make history in North Carolina. I have been extremely impressed with the hard work and dedication of the party leaders there. Together we can achieve heights we have never reached before.
My sincere thanks and appreciation to each of you for your past support and encouragement.
