The Democratic Process

We live in a great country where we get to elect our leaders. This is true on the town, county, state, and national level.  

We all know we have the right and privilege to vote, and, by the same measure, we have the right to run for office.

Poor men have become our presidents, our governors, our commissioners, and our selectmen. And even poorer men have had the honor of casting ballots to elect them.

For these rights, many men have given their lives, paying the ultimate sacrifice, not just for the right to vote, but to also run for office. 

To run for office, and to be placed on the ballot, a candidate takes out nomination papers, and has to collect signatures from registered voters. The higher the office, the more signatures needed.

For the most part, this prevents people from simply "signing up" to be on the ballot, and shows they are willing to make a commitment by gathering the necessary signatures. Usually, this involves gathering a team of volunteers who support you, and either standing out of going door-to-door to collect those signatures. So, when you hand in your nomination papers, you've shown your commitment by having done the work to gather the requisite amount of signatures.

When you sign a nomination form for a candidate, you are not voting for that person, you are not being tracked as a supporter for them or their party, you are simply helping them to their right to be on the ballot.

What I don't understand, and I've helped collect signatures for many candidates, is the refusal by so many citizens to sign. It's a right for any man to run for office, a right so many have died to defend, so why wouldn't you take a second to sign their nomination form?

Even if you don't support the candidate, or the party they represent, don't you support democracy and freedom?

Further, the people collecting signatures are volunteers. Why are so many people rude and insulting to them? I've seen volunteers yelled at, spit at, and berated. If you feel that strongly that you can't support democracy by signing a nomination form, fine. But don't spew venom at the volunteer who is simply gathering signatures to help support the democratic process.

If I don't like a candidate, I will still sign their nomination form, because it's part of the process, and they have a right to be on the ballot. It's in the voting booth where I make my vote count.

If a candidate is determined enough to be on the ballot, they will stay out longer to get the signatures they need. Whether or not you support the candidate, you can help the volunteers shorten the amount of time they need to beat the street by signing the forms. Your refusal doesn't stop the candidate, it just makes longer hours for the volunteers.

So, regardless of who the candidate is, next time you are asked to sign a nomination form - sign it. And if you disagree with the candidate, vote for someone else on election day.