From the Green Party of the United States: For highlights from our 2014 campaigns, click here.  We want to tell you some more about two major victories for local, grassroots politics over massive corporate investments in controlling our democracy.In Oregon, Measure 90 was defeated by a huge margin. The measure - which would have severely limited future choices at the ballot box by switching Oregon to a "Top Two" system - was backed by billionaires Michael Bloomberg and John Arnold.Greens and other grassroots organizations rallied and overcame this attempt to control democracy. Pacific Green Party spokesperson Blair Bobier noted that "now that 'Top Two' has been rejected overwhelmingly for the second time, despite the millions of dollars behind it, we need to consider real changes to the election system, such as Instant Runoff Voting and public campaign financing."In Richmond, CA, former mayor and Green Party member Gayle McLaughlin was elected to the City Council after being forced to step down as mayor due to term limits. Her City Council bid was opposed by Chevron, which runs an oil refinery in Richmond and spent millions to keep McLaughlin and her opposition to the refinery off the council. She was able to overcome millions in corporate attack ads and win a seat on the council. Greens are leading the way against corporate influence in American elections. While the campaigns in Oregon and Richmond were successful, "Top Two" is still on the agenda in many states, and corporate spending on elections has never been higher. We need your support to take the fight against the 1% to the next level. We need to invest in staff, training for candidates, and support for building state parties. As we approach the 2016 election, we hope you will get involved with your state and local party, consider running for office, and continue to support the Green Party of the United States.    

Today is Fundraising Friday and we need your support to help the Green Party on the ballot! Based on this year's election results, the Green Party held or gained ballot status in twenty states leading into the 2016 election. The only question mark left for 2014 is Maryland. We are turning in our petitions later this month. Help us finish our petitions drive by making a contribution TODAY! Click here to make a one-time donation to support our 2014 ballot access efforts. Click here to make a monthly recurring contribution to the Green Party to support future plans, such as candidate recruitment and training, staff time, investment in our website and social outreach tools, and direct support to candidates.  Thank you for your contribution!    

Tim Willard won 21,530 votes in last week's election for Montgomery County Council (At-Large).Dear Supporters, I would like to thank everyone who supported my campaign. With your support the Green Party made important progress toward becoming an established party in the county. We picked up endorsements that no Green Party candidate had ever received before, we increased our vote totals from four years ago and we received important support among the activist community.While voter turnout in the county was down from four years ago, my vote total was higher than our at large candidate then. More than 21,000 people voted for me, or about 9% of the voters who turned out. This is a solid base to build on.Since the county has passed a campaign finance law that pays $5 for every dollar raised past a certain amount, a future campaign that made a serious effort to raise funds could receive $100,000 or more from the county which would allow us to reach many more people.Our work to build a sustainable county will continue. In the immediate future, the Montgomery County Green Party will join a coalition of environmental and civic groups to persuade the county council to pass a green building code without caving in the developer pressure to gut the measure.We will continue to work for a community that is sustainable, prosperous and just.Thank you again, one and all, for your support.Tim Willard   

Congratulations to our great candidates in this year's election! In U.S. House District 6, George Gluck earned 3,503 votes, for 1.9% of the total cast.  In U.S. House District 2, Ian Schlakman earned 5,096 votes, for 2.7% of the total cast. In Montgomery County, Tim Willard earned 20,836 votes for 2.4% of the total cast.  In Maryland House District 20, Dan Robinson earned 6,352 votes, for 9.1 of the total cast.  Thanks to all of our candidates for their hard work this year!      

Today is Election Day. First, go vote! Then join your local Greens for Election Night parties in Montgomery County and Baltimore. Dan Robinson, Tim Willard and George Gluck will be at the Montgomery County event from 8-11pm. The party will be at 120 Grant Avenue, Takoma Park MD, 20912. There will be live music and organic/local/vegan food and beverages. The Baltimore event will start at 8pm at Liam Flynn's Ale House, 22 W. North Avenue, in Station North, Baltimore. Ian Schlakman will be there watching election results. Snacks will be catered by Liam's and drinks are available at the bar. Come congratulate our great candidates for all their hard work this year! And don't forget to Vote Green!