The Independent Candidate
Who are they? How does the process work? Generally speaking, the Independent candidate is a citizen, who is centrally based and not affiliated with either the Republican or Democratic Party. As for how it works, all I can say is this, our government certainly doesn’t make it easy to run for a political office as an Independent candidate.
Nonetheless, I’ve put together a few of the basics and here they are:
- You must file a “Declaration of Intent to Run as an Independent Candidate” form between Dec.3, 2009 – Jan. 4, 2010 with either the county judge’s office or the Secretary of State. These are the same dates that the Republican and Democratic candidates have to abide by.
- Between this time and the primary elections, the Independent candidate really doesn’t exist. Because…your name and your intent to run for a political office appears nowhere. No ballot, no form, no mention. Unless, of course, a newspaper article mentions your intent to run somehow or you purchase an ad to notify the public of your intentions.
- After the primary elections (3/2/10), you shift into high gear. You must collect signatures on the “Independent Candidate’s Petition for a Place on the Ballot” form, ONLY from registered voters who did not vote in the primary election or the runoff primary election (4/13/10).
Also, you have to collect a certain number of signatures. The total number depends upon the office you seek and is usually based on a percentage from the total voters in a previous year’s election. You would need to contact the Secretary of State’s office to determine the exact number.
Please note that if there was runoff election, the independent candidate would not be permitted to start gathering these signatures until after the runoff.
Did I mention that this is not easy?
- On 5/13/10, you must file the “Independent Candidate’s Application for a Place on the General Election Ballot” form with either the county judge’s office or the Secretary of State. This form must be accompanied by your Petition forms.
- Congratulations! It is now official, you are an Independent Candidate.
There are a few exceptions to the basic guidelines listed above and they can be found at the website for the Secretary of State: www.sos.state.tx.us.
Why are there different standards or requirements for the Independent candidate versus the candidates of other two parties? Wouldn’t it make more sense for it all to be the same?
While researching this article, I found some interesting tidbits about the political parties in Gillespie County. Did you know that prior to 1982, everyone running for an elected county office, ran as an Independent? It was the ‘norm’ to go out there and obtain the numerous signatures required. Amazing.
This all turned around in 1982 when Mark Weiser ran for and won the position of County Judge; as a Republican. Ever since then everyone in this community has run, pretty much, on the Republican ticket.
Strange how life works though, because we are coming full circle. Mark Wieser filed an intent to run as an Independent for the County Judge position against Incumbent County Judge Mark Stroeher in the general election this fall.
