SUPPORTERS FILE PAPERS TO GET BADNARIK ON THE BALLOT IN PENNSYLVANIA

In an overwhelming show of support, Libertarian Party volunteers filed over 41,000 signatures on Thursday to place Presidential candidate Michael Badnarik on the ballot in Pennsylvania.

"The filing of such a large number of signatures yesterday show how Badnarik has a strong grass roots appeal in this state," said David Jahn, the Chair of the Pennsylvania Libertarian Party, who took part in the signature turn-in event in Harrisburg.

In Pennsylvania, a third party, or an independent candidate needs to collect over 25,000 signatures to be placed on the ballot. As of Thursday, the Libertarians were the only third party or independent group to file ballot access petitions to get their Presidential candidate on the ballot. The final deadline to file is Monday, August 2nd. The Pennsylvania filing means the party is well on it way to reaching its goal of getting the Badnarik/Campagna Presidential ticket on the ballot in all 50 states.

"It was exciting to see more and more people coming forward to help collect signatures during the petition drive," said James Babb, Chair of Pennsylvanians for Badnarik, the statewide committee formed recently to support Michael Badnarik's campaign. Babb said, "Our supporters reported back to us that people were willing, even excited, to sign, saying they were not happy with the choices being offered by the Democrats and Republicans." This contrasts with Ralph Nader's petition drive where, according to recent news stories, most people declined to help to put him on the ballot.

Many recent nationwide polls confirm Babb's statement. According to a nationwide survey of 1,000 American adults conducted last week by Rasmussen, Democratic challenger John Kerry (D-MA) leads incumbent president George W. Bush by a slim margin of 46-43% - within the 3% margin of error. However, when polled on their second choice, 43% of voters chose Badnarik rather than their first choice's main rival.

This same poll shows Badnarik at 3% as their first choice if the election were to be held today. According to Russ Diamond this proves that the Libertarian party is on the verge of a major breakthrough. "This will be the year that the country will elect Libertarians to higher offices than we have held previously," said Diamond, a resident of Annville, Lebanon County, who is running as a Libertarian in a very high profile two-race for State Representative.

The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party. In 2004, the party expects to field more than 1000 candidates nationwide. More than 600 Libertarians currently serve in public office.