The Green Party of Pennsylvania hailed a new ballot access ruling that immediately cut the required number of signatures to get statewide candidates on the 2016 ballot from over 21,000 to 5,000 signatures.

"This is a game changer," said GPPA Secretary Hillary Kane. "We have been fighting these unfair ballot access rules in court for almost ten years. Finally, we have prevailed. This is welcome relief to the Green Party and all of those who care about equal access to the ballot." Ms. Kane served as GPPA Chair 2007-2009; during her tenure GPPA joined with other third parties in what would be the first of many law suits.

The Green Party would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of their pro bono attorney, Oliver Hall, of the Center for Competitive Democracy. "Without the persistence of Mr. Hall, none of this would have been possible," said Jay Sweeney, GPPA Steering Committee member. Sweeney, also a former Chair, helped manage GPPA's involvement in the litigation as well.

Anyone who has been gathering signatures for the 2016 campaign is urged to contact the party to send in their petitions as soon as possible.

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/early-returns/erstate/2016/07/01/Federal-judge-gives-third-parties-a-helping-hand-on-PA-ballot/stories/201607010174

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/10726211-74/candidates-party-pennsylvania

http://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/07/01/minor-parties-get-easier-ballot-access-pa/86605528/

http://www.phillytrib.com/news/judge-eases-ballot-access-for-third-party-hopefuls/article_d996dcbc-5108-5e29-a10b-c1c8c7555144.html



http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/off-mic/84577-court-pa-unfair-to-3rd-parties

* Added 7/5/16

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/95086-greens-libertarians-win-easier-ballot-acess-in-pa