New York Greens See Progress in 2006 Election

Green Party of New York State
www.gpnys.org

Alison Duncan for Lieutenant Governor
http://www.alisonduncan.org
Contact: Ann Link 347-226-1195 eastst@hotmail.com

November 10, 2006
Released November 8, 2006

NEW YORK, NY -- "Although preliminary results suggest the Green Party failed to get 50,000 votes on the governor's line that would have guaranteed us ballot access, New Yorkers clearly choose the Green Party as New York's  third party," said Alison Duncan, Green Party candidate for Lieutenant Governor. [election results below] "Julia Willebrand, candidate for  comptroller, was the standout with 108,030 votes, more than any Green Party candidate for statewide office has ever gotten. Those votes clearly  demonstrate that when voters need a choice on the ballot they choose Green.  That's only been an option for about 20 years in this country. People are opting to vote Green and will continue to do so." 

The fact that three candidates got over 50,000 votes gives the Green Party  the opportunity for a legal challenge to NY's ballot access law, which says  that the 50,000 votes for ballot access must be on the Governor's line. The  Green Party previously won a challenge that required the board of elections  to register enrollees for non-ballot-access parties that successfully petition to get a governor's candidate on the ballot. Green Party members will re-canvas the voting machines in the coming weeks to determine the results of the election and have requested people to report voting problems.

"When corporate and PAC money determines the outcome of elections we do not have a democracy," said Duncan. "This government will not be a servant of the voters. We are determined to continue the fight -- legally, electorally and legislatively to put a party that is not beholden to corporate and PAC interests, the Green Party, on the ballot and into power."

"I am pleased that our campaigns raised visibility for the Green Party's signature positions on an immediate end to the war in Iraq, universal, single-payer health care, conversion to safe, renewable energy, support for local economies, and many others," added Duncan. "These positions that have been supported by Green Party members for many years are increasing in popularity among voters who have grown more disaffected from the Democratic and Republican parties. This bodes well for our continued success in future elections."

PRELIMINARY GREEN PARTY ELECTION RESULTS

Malachy McCourt for Gov./Alison Duncan for Lt. Gov. 40,351 votes .97%
Rachel Treichler for Attorney General 57,564 votes 1.43%
Julia Willebrand for Comptroller 108,030 votes 2.82%
Howie Hawkins for U.S. Senate 51,538 votes 1.22%
(stats from newsday.com as of 12:00 Noon Nov 8)

PEACE SLATE CANDIDATE WEBSITES

Malachy McCourt for Governor
http://votemalachymccourt.org/ 

Alison Duncan for Lieutenant Governor
http://www.alisonduncan.org/ 

Rachel Treichler for Attorney General
http://www.voterachel.org/ 

Julia Willebrand for Comptroller
http://gpnys.org/ 

Howie Hawkins for US Senate from New York
http://www.hawkinsforsenate.org/