This morning the State Board of Elections notified us that the Maryland Green party has met the required 10,000 valid signatures to remain on the ballot for another four years. The Board still has another 1,800 to verify so we beat the requirement with plenty of room to spare.
Our validation rate has been a remarkable 85%; 10% better than our 2002 petition drive, and even better when compared against other parties’ petitions drives (69% for Libertarians in 2003 and 67% for Populists in 2004).
The successful drive will allow the Maryland Green Party to be in continuous existence for 10 years. In just seven years (six as a recognized party and three with full ballot access), we have become the third largest party in Maryland, hosted eight state-wide assemblies, struck down unconstitutional ballot restrictions, put 41 Green candidates on the ballot, built numerous vibrant Locals, attracted over 8,000 SBE-affiliated Greens, and established a notable presence in Maryland public policy making.