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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Jonathan Neal Communications Director, Colorado Democratic Party 501-519-0988
Democrats File Suit Against Nader's Appearance on Colorado Ballot
Denver, CO, Sept. 13, 2004
The Colorado Democratic Party has announced that it has filed a lawsuit in District Court in Denver challenging the legality of Ralph Nader's appearance on the state presidential ballot, and will request prompt action by the court in response to this suit.
"Ralph Nader's appearance on the Colorado election ballot was not achieved in compliance with Colorado election law," said Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Chris Gates. "The Democratic Party welcomes any candidate to the ballot as long as they play by the rules. Since John Kerry and John Edwards have diligently followed state law in gaining access to the ballot, it is only fair that we expect Ralph Nader to abide by the same laws as the other candidates on the ballot."
The Reform Party, which nominated Nader, is led by Shawn O'Hara, who has aided the defense team of a Ku Klux Klan member, supports a constitutional amendment banning abortion and has argued for the execution of doctors and nurses who perform abortions. "Ralph Nader should renounce his Reform Party nomination and stop his alliance with a group that upholds such radical, right-wing views," said Gates.
The lawsuit challenges the Colorado Secretary of State's certification of the nomination of Nader-Camejo by the Reform Party because:
1. Nader and Camejo had not been affiliated with the Reform Party for twelve months before they were nominated, as is required by Colorado law. In fact, fourteen days before they were nominated, Nader signed an affidavit claiming that his party affiliation is "unaffiliated." "Not only was Nader unaffiliated with the Party before he was nominated, but his political beliefs are obviously a complete departure from the policies of previous Reform Party nominees," said Gates. In 2000, the Reform Party nominated ultra-right wing figure Pat Buchanan to their ticket, and Buchanan's views on everything from civil rights to the role of religion in public life to the existence of the Holocaust are anathema to Nader supporters. "Clearly, Nader and Camejo have no connection to the Reform Party whatsoever," Gates said. 2. The Reform Party missed a crucial filing deadline with Colorado Secretary of State. The law states that the Party should have filed a certificate reporting Nader and Camejo as the Party's nominee within four days of their convention, and they failed this requirement. "Legal deadlines aren't arbitrary and aren't negotiable," said Gates. "This is a black-and-white issue." 3. The Reform Party failed to properly nominate presidential electors for the state of Colorado, making any electoral votes that they might receive here meaningless. "The law is very clear on this point, and again, they did not follow the law," Gates said. 4. The Reform Party failed to give proper notice of their national convention to the Secretary of State. "This legal requirement was followed by all of the other parties represented on the ballot, and the Reform party once again failed to abide by the law," Gates said.
"We welcome some of the points of view that Ralph Nader espouses, and we believe that Nader's opinions on the environment, corporate accountability, reliance on Middle East oil, a woman's right to choose, and fiscal responsibility are reflected in the positions of John Kerry and John Edwards," Gates said. "However, Nader must play by the same legal rules as everyone else, and he has obviously failed do so."
Gates called on supporters of Nader's ideals to endorse the Kerry-Edwards plan for a stronger America. "Voting for John Kerry and John Edwards is the best way to make sure that America will have a president that will fight for the issues that Nader cares about," Gates said. "America can do better, and with Kerry and Edwards in the White House, we can begin to remedy the damage that George Bush has done to our state and our nation."
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------------ Jonathan Neal Communications Director Colorado Democratic Party and Colorado Victory 2004 Campaign 777 Santa Fe Dr. Denver, CO 80204 office: 303-623-4762 cell: 501-519-0988
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