A regionally based organizing committee is seeking those interested in campaigning for local office this fall and open to the idea of running on a slate with other like-minded “grassroots independent” candidates using the same independent, non-established-political-party ballot line.

The project is an outgrowth of the massive women’s march that took place in Washington, DC, this past January and the concurrent march in Lewis, NY, that drew more than 400 participants.

So far, this electoral approach involves concerned citizens from Clinton, Essex, Franklin and Hamilton counties.

The slate is open to candidates who can endorse a platform that is pro-democracy, pro-peace/diplomacy and pro-human rights/civil rights. Candidates meeting this prerequisite who are currently circulating a petition to get on the ballot line of one of the established parties — Republican, Green, Democratic, Working Families, etc. — are eligible, as are those planning to circulate, or even just interested in circulating, an independent petition only.

Organizers have told the Almanack that this effort is being undertaken outside of the two major political parties and beyond the control of any established political parties in New York State.

An informational meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 27th, at 7 pm in Saranac Lake. Declared or prospective candidates interested in learning more about this common-ground-slate approach should contact Fred Balzac at (518) 588-7275 or fredbalzac@aol.com or Jack Carney at jacarneysr@aol.com.

Photo by John Warren.