Better for America
 | |
| Formation | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Founders | John Kingston, Joel Searby |
| Type | 501c4 |
| Legal status | Inactive |
| Focus | Ballot Access for 2016 Presidential Election |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, U.S. |
Key people |
John Kingston (Chair) Anne MacDonald (Executive Director) Joel Searby (Chief Strategy Officer) |
| Slogan | "America and Americans deserve better" |
| Website |
www |
Better for America (BFA) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization that is dedicated to getting nationwide ballot access for an independent candidate for President of the United States in the 2016 election.[1] The effort was inspired by the unpopularity of the two major party nominees, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and was seen as part of the Stop Trump movement.[2]
The organization's initial strategy was to gain ballot access in states that do not require a candidate to be named, and then name its candidate after the major party conventions.[1] The candidate was planned to be named by an advisory board rather than through traditional primary elections, or through a crowdsourcing effort like the failed Americans Elect effort in the 2012 election.[3] On August 8, 2016, it was reported that Evan McMullin, an anti-Trump Republican and former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) official, would be Better for America's nominee.[4][5][6] McMullin was officially nominated on August 24.[7]
In July, the organization filed petitions in two states, New Mexico[1] and Arkansas.[8] By early August, Arkansas had accepted the petition,[9] while New Mexico had rejected the petition because it did not have enough valid signatures,[6] although the New Mexico decision was challenged in court.[10] On August 22, the organization announced that it was ceasing further ballot access efforts.[11] On September 8, the New Mexico Secretary of State reversed his decision and placed Better For America on the ballot.[12]
Notable people involved in the organization include conservative donor John Kingston, III and former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman.[3] Lawrence Lessig and Randy Barnett expressed their support for the organization in a Time opinion piece.[13]
References
- 1 2 3 Mandel, Bethany; Marcus, David (July 8, 2016). "Independent Presidential Candidate Lands On First Ballot". The Federalist. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
- ↑ Haberman, Maggie (June 14, 2016). "Conservative Donor's Group Presses Ballot Access for a Third-Party Candidate". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
- 1 2 Singer, Paul (June 27, 2016). "Trump foes try to create a ballot spot for a challenger-to-be-named". USA Today. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
- ↑ Haberman, Maggie (2016-08-08). "Evan McMullin, Anti-Trump Republican, Is Said to Plan Independent Presidential Bid". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
- ↑ Coppins, McKay (2016-08-08). "Anti-Trump Republican Launching Independent Presidential Bid". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
- 1 2 Winger, Richard (2016-08-08). "Better for America Finds a Presidential Nominee". Ballot Access News. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
- ↑ Winger, Richard (2016-08-24). "Better for America Formally Nominates Evan McMullin for President | Ballot Access News". Ballot Access News. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
- ↑ Moritz, John (August 2, 2016). "State ballot draws independents; candidates, groups petition for spots in presidential contest". Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- ↑ Winger, Richard (2016-08-10). "Better for America Petition in Arkansas is Valid". Ballot Access News. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
- ↑ Oxford, Andrew (2016-08-16). "Group seeks minor-party status to get spot on N.M. ballot". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
- ↑ Winger, Richard (2016-08-22). "Better for America Ends its Ballot Access Petitioning | Ballot Access News". Ballot Access News. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
- ↑ Winger, Richard (2016-09-08). "Better for America Qualifies for Party Status in New Mexico". Ballot Access News. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
- ↑ Barnett, Randy E.; Lessig, Lawrence (2016-08-03). "The Real Reason You Can't Vote for an Independent Candidate". Time. Retrieved 2016-08-08.