Become an ARP Endorsed Candidate All candidates are welcome to seek the endorsement of the American Reform Party regardless of your current party affiliation or independent status. Whether you are Rebuplican, Democrat or Independent running for public office in your state and are willing to uphold a majorty of the ARP Political Platform then we encourage you to seek our endorsement and support.

Independent Candidates have best chance to win in 2010 Never before in our Country's history has an independent candidate had a better chance of being elected to public office then now. With Independent voters in the US now representing over 47% of the entire voting pulic and both Republican And Democrat voters distancing themselves from their respective parties, The moderate Independent candidate offers these voters a clear choice.

American Reform Party Endorsed Candidates
Below is a our current slate of Candidates we are endorsing for Local, State or Federal Office. These candidates were chosen based on their demonstrated common sense & integrity including their willingness and efforts to enact many of our parties platform for reform

If you wish to run for office in your State and jurisdiction or run for National office and believe in the fundamental principles of the American Reform Party and its Platform please see becoming a ARP Endorsed Candidate.

American Reform Party Supported Candidates for National and State Offices in the 2010 and 2012 elections.

President of the United States
To Be Determined.

Senate
DeMint, Jim - (R - SC)
Hatch, Orrin G. - (R - UT)
Scott Brown - (R - MA) This is a special election January 19, 2010 to replace seat vacated by Ted Kennedy
Rand Paul - (R - KY)

Congress
Paul, Ron, Texas, 14th
 

State Govenors
To Be Determined

.

We want to take this opportunity to welcome you to our new Website. We are still in the process of building out the site to address the specific needs and positions of our party in Florida. Currently some of our links will take you to our National Party's Website for additional information in the interim.

If you have any questions or problems please feel free to contact us with your issue or technical problems discoveryintl@comcast.net

Howard Johnson,

Chairman, American Reform Party of Florida

Here is your chance to make a difference in Florida and Washington to Take Back America form our Out Of Control Government. The American Reform Party of Florida is looking for highly motivated, well organized and politically active individuals throughout the State to establish or participate in local and statewide chapters of the party.

Now, more than ever, our country is in great peril of losing our freedoms and democracy due to the irresponsible actions of our governments and elected officials over the past 50 years. If we allow this trend to continue we face a fate worse than an economic Depression, but rather a country of tyrannical rule by government. Now is the time for all concerned citizens to step up and take charge of your government at every level and restore our country and its states basic fundamental values, principles and fiscal responsibility that has made us great and its people free.

If you've had it with big government, irresponsible politicians you can no longer trust, want to protect you and your children's freedoms and future and believe you can be instrumental in bringing real change to both State and Federal government, then your the individual we are seeking. As an organizer you will work closely with both National, State and local organizers in seeking out and identifying potential candidates for endorsement and support. Assist in developing State and local policies and political strategy. Work with closely with local and state political action committees and movements like the TeaParty. Conduct fundraising events, political rallies, handle advertising, organizing committee's, educational seminars and activities to foster our efforts in achieving a smaller, responsible government with qualified, trustworthy candidates.

There are plenty of opportunities and avenues available for you to participate with the ARP and we need people at every level in our state. We will assist and provide you with everything you need to get started. Please Contact Howard Johnson, State Chairman at discoveryintl@comcast.net

View existing State Chapters of the American Reform Party (view)

THE AMERICAN REFORM PARTY

OF

FLORIDA

PARTY WORKER’S HANDBOOK

The American Reform Party of Florida

7113 Fort Caroline Hills Drive

Jacksonville, Florida   32277

Discoveryintl@comcast.net

INTRODUCTION      

“Our safety, our liberty depends upon preserving the Constitution of the United States as our fathers made it inviolate. The people of the United States are the rightful masters of both Congress and the Courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who would pervert the Constitution.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

Mistakes can critically damage the campaign efforts of any candidate for public office.  Your responsibility as a precinct committee person must be to take every precaution to avoid mistakes by developing a written plan for organizing your precinct, a plan which will deliver votes for the American Reform Party candidates on Election Day.  This handbook concentrates on four basic areas:

1. Responsibilities of precinct workers.
2. Precinct organization.
3. Responsibilities of party officials.
4. Florida Election Law.

      Study these guidelines to develop an organized plan to maximize voter turnout              

1. THE COMMITTEE PERSON

In each precinct the precinct committee person is the officially elected American Reform Party representative.  Each precinct has a precinct committeeman  and women and may have alternates. Committee men and committee women are elected by the county electorate of the ARP every four years or by the members of the County Committee as per its County Constitution.

Duties of the Precinct Worker:

1.   Canvass your precinct.  (Get to know your constituents and develop a positive political image).

1. Develop a network. (Form a list of key volunteer who can be called on to help).
2. Organize your precinct. (Do this by blocks or regions using maps and card files).
3. Recruit and train volunteers.
4. Conduct voter registration drives.
5. Recruit volunteer poll workers.
6. Turn out every American Reform Party voter on election day.
7. Serve as the American Reform Party liaison for your neighborhood on a year around basis.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: 

Get more American Reform Party voters to the polls than the opposition on election day.  Set this as your goal and our candidates will win.

Call all the people together, the young men and their sires.  The digger in the harvest-field, the hireling, and him that

hires; and here in a pine state-house, they shall choose men to rule. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

II   THE PRECINCT                                  

Step One:   Know Your Precinct.

Each precinct is as different as every voter.  You must be completely familiar with your territory in order to effectively organize and turn out the American Reform Party vote.

Precinct Map:

Your County Party and Supervisor of Elections have maps which will have your precinct boundaries.  However, lines often change.  You should draw your own map as soon as possible.

In order to do so..

1. Obtain the map of your precinct.
2. Obtain an up to date street map.
3. With a high-light marker, draw in the precinct lines as they appear on the Supervisor of Elections precinct map.

Develop a political Calendar:

A comprehensive, well planned calendar of your committee’s activities is important for success.  Your calendar should include dates fixed by state law, dates of community activities, dates of primary and general elections, Party dates for planned activities.  Maintaining a calendar provides your committee with an excellent opportunity to participate in community activities.  

“HOPE AROUSES AS NOTHING ELSE CAN AROUSE, A PASSION FOR THE POSSIBLE”   ~ WM. S. COFFIN

Obtain Voter Registration Lists: This is a necessity.  Information on these lists may very greatly from county to county.  Most lists include full names, precinct, number and date of registration.  Phone numbers are usually not included, but can be obtained by manually looking them up in your phone directory.  This may be hard, but must be done.

Obtain Election Results: From previous elections; this will give you an idea of your precinct’s voting history.  Note:  keep in mind that reapportionment may change precinct lines.  

Learn Voter Registration Requirements: See Florida’s Election Laws detailed at end of handbook.

Know Your Elected Officials: Keep on hand the addresses and phone numbers of all State, District, County City, and Precinct elected official - for all political parties.

Canvass Your Precinct: You must recognize your area’s political trends to target voters on election day; which blocks consistently vote Republican, Democrat or other.  In which areas do young and older voters reside, ete.

“THE MEASURE OF ONE’S LIFE IS WHAT ONE GIVES OF

THEMSELVE IN SERVICE TO THEIR NEIGHBOR, FAMILY, COUNTRY AND HUMANITY” ~ ALEXANDER N. LAW

Step Two: Organize by Blocks.

Depending on the size of the precinct, the density of the population and the area it covers,  appoint Block Captains from American Reform Party volunteer lists, ARP Women’s Federation, College and Teen Clubs. These workers will be responsible for following up with American Reform Party voters on election day to ensure their turnout at the polls.

Voter Registration Committee: This committee can serve year-around, regardless of the election cycle.  Check for “SOLD” homes in your precinct, check rental homes for new citizens and residents.  Note:  Get to them before they register themselves and tell them about the American Reform Party.  They may be part of that 30 percent dissatisfied with their present Party affiliation.

Absentee Ballot Committee:

Potential absentee voters may include the following: College students and Traveling business people.

Voters who have out-of-town plans on election day. Sick and disabled voters in hospitals, or confined to their homes or other care facilities. You can follow up on those who request absentee ballots by obtaining a list from the County Supervisor of Elections office. Contact American Reform Party voters to ensure they are aware of procedures to vote absentee.  Remember; Absentee ballots can provide the margin of victory in a close race.

Ballot Security Committee:

Although this committee functions on election day, comprehensive plans for ballot security must be formulated much earlier.  Its  responsible is to see that every legal ballot is counted and every illegal ballot is challenged by assuring that trained volunteers, knowledgeable in election law, voting  procedures and ballot fraud, are present at the poll.  Know your State Law and watch for irregularities. However Do Not violate any law by intimidation, harassing or stopping any qualified voter.

Poll Checker Committee:

This committee functions to record ARP favorable voters as they sign in at the polls on election day.  This list, which should include phone numbers, is transferred to the GOTV committee throughout the day of the election.

GOTV Phone Committee:

The Get Out The Vote Committee functions in election day turnout.  At intervals during the day,  lists of those who have not voted is given be given to this committee to contact.  It is their task to encourage the elector to vote.

Transportation Committee:

This Committee functions on Election Day to drive those requesting transportation to the polls.  The precinct should be divided into sections to give prompt service to voters who require it. “…and on election day see that every Whig is brought to the Poll” ~ Abraham Lincoln

III.   COUNTY COMMITTEE JOB DISCRIPTION

As a Member of Your County Executive Committee You Should:

1. Organize your precinct.
2. Attend all Committee meetings.
3. Provide input into those meetings.
4. Actively participate in committeeprojects.
5. Help build the Committee by recruiting new members.
6. Familiarize yourself with your County, State and National ARP Constitutions, Bylaws and Platforms.
7. Be on the lookout for potential American Reform Party candidates, volunteers and voters.

A well organized County Executive Committee will produce successful election results for American Reform Party candidates in all 67 Counties.

The following description of duties for Party officers may vary in each County, but serve as a general rule.

County Committee Chairperson

1. Preside at all meetings of the County Executive Committee and Board.
2. Serve as official spokesperson for the County Committee.
3. Represent the County Committee at Party functions.
4. Coordinate County Party campaign activities.
5. Establish Committee and appoint their chairs to implement the Committee’s goals.

Vice Chairperson

1. Assists the Chair with his/her duties.
2. Assumes responsibilities of Chair in his/her absence.

3.   Assists Chair with implementation of his/her responsibilities.

Secretary

1. Maintains all Party records and lists.
2. Keeps accurate records and distributes minutes of meetings to Members.
3. Maintains Committee correspondence.
4. Issues meeting notices.
5. Files monthly minutes and Oaths of Office with the County Supervisor of Elections and State Headquarters.

Treasurer

1. Is responsible for all record of financial transactions, receipts and disbursements.
2. Maintain and prepare regular reports and present books for annual audit.
3. Maintain Bank Accounts and serve as cosigner on such accounts.
4. File monthly and quarterly reports with the Supervisor of Elections and State Headquarters.
5. Assist Finance Committee with fund raising.
6. Know current laws on County and campaign finance.

At Large Members of the Board

Their responsibilities are to represent the interests of the Members of the County Committee on the Board and are assigned tasks by the Chair.

IV.   FLORIDA ELECTION LAW

Voter Registration

Components of State Election Law are subject to change with each Administration and each session of the Legislature.  Please contact the State Division of Elections at (850)488-7690  and ask for the latest copy of The Compilation of Florida Election Laws. It will be sent you to free of charge.

In Florida, any person (1) at least 18 years of age or will be 18 at the time of the next election, (2) who is a citizen of the US and (3) who is a permanent resident of Florida and the county in which he/she wishes to register, is eligible to register with the local Supervisor of Elections when the registration books are open. (F.S.97.041)  Registration books close for the first primary election at 5:00pm on the 30^th day prior to that primary, and at 5:00pm 30 days prior to the runoff election.  To be able to vote in the runoff, one must be registered to vote by the cutoff date for the first primary election.  Even after the books are closed for the first primary election. Registrations, name changes and address changes will be accepted for the runoff election. (F.S.98.051)

Voter list Purges

In odd numbered years, local Supervisors of Elections conducts a purge of the registration books and sends notice to those who have not voted at least once in the past two years.  Any so notified voter who fails to fill out and return this card will have his name withdrawn from the voter rolls.  To be reinstated, the voter must notify the local Supervisor of Elections in writing that his status and qualifications to vote have not changed. The Supervisor will reinstate the voter without registration. (F.S.98.981)

Voter Registration Lists

These lists are public record which all citizens may examine, but they may not make copies of all or portions of the lists. Incumbent office holders, political candidates, registered political committees, committees of continuous existence, and Parties or officials can obtain, at cost, a list of the registered voters which includes the names, party affiliation address and precinct number of each elector.  To acquire this list, a person must subscribe an oath which essentially states that the list will be used exclusively for political purposes and not for commercial use.  In addition, the oath states that the person in possession of voter lists will not make copies for persons not authorized by law to receive them. (F.S.98.211)

Absentee Ballots

If a voter cannot go to the polls on election day, he may vote absentee if he meets one of the following criteria:

1. When one is unable to, without another’s assistance, to attend the polls.
2. When one is not going to be in the county of residence during the hours the polls are open for voting on election day.
3. When the person is an inspector, a poll worker, a deputy voting machine custodian, a deputy Supervisor of Elections or a Deputy Supervisor who is assigned to a different precinct other than that in which he/she is registered.
4. On account of tenets of religion, cannot attend the polls on the day ofthe primary, general or special election.
5. The person has changed his/her permanent residence to another county in Florida within the time period during which the registration book are closed for the election.  He/she understand that that they are allowed to vote only for National and Statewide office and state wide issues.
6. He/she has changed their permanent residence to another state and are unable, under the laws of such state, to vote in the general election.  He/sheunderstand that they are allowed to vote only for President and Vice PresidentIn such case.(F.S.101-64)
7. A person may request an absentee ballot from his Supervisor of Elections office at any time during the one year period before an election is held during that year, provided that individual making the request indicates that wish at the time of the initial request.  A Supervisor may accept request for an absentee ballot, from any person (accept a candidate) authorized by the elector to obtain a ballot for them.  Any absentee ballot, whether mailed or delivered in person, must be received by the Supervisor no later than 7:00pm on the date of the election. (F.S.97.0563, 101.62&64, &67)

Poll Watchers

At the polling place, each political party and each candidate on the ballot may have one poll watcher in the polling room at one time.  To be a poll watcher, one must be both a qualified and registered voter of the county in which he serves. Candidates and law enforcement officers cannot be poll watchers under Florida law.  Poll watchers from each precinct must be designated in writing to the local Supervisor of Elections no later than noon of the 2^nd Tuesday preceding the elections. (F.S.101.131)

When Voters Have Moved

The election laws of Florida provide that when a voter moves into a new precinct within a county, he may cast his ballot in the new precinct.  At the polling place, however, he must sign an affidavit and provide proof of new residence. Whenever a voter moves to another county within the state after the books close, he is permitted to vote in his old county using an absentee ballot, but only for national and state office.

(F.S.97.091&102)

Polling Places

State law requires that polling places open at 7:00am on the date of the election and remain open until 7:00pm.  Should a voter require assistance in voting, they are eligible to have the help of two inspectors or some person of his own choice who has not previously helped more than one other person in the election. Statues prohibit the distribution of literature or the solicitation of voters within 50 feet of  the polling place. (F.S.97.061, 100.011, 102.031)

Polling Activity

1. No officer or employee of the State, County, or Municipal Government can; Use his official authority or influence or interfere in an election or nomination of a candidate or influence a person’s vote. Coerce or influence anyone to pay, lend or contribute any part of his salary, kick back any sum of money or anything else of value to any party, organization or person for political purposes.
2. Coerce or attempt to influence anyone to purchase goods or services from him. This law does not prohibit any such person from; Becoming a candidate. Expressing his political opinions on all political subjects and candidates.
3. Participating in a campaign in off-duty hours.
4. Voluntarily contributing to a group or individuals for political purposes. (F.S.104.31)

This handbook is provided as voter  education material by the AMERICAN REFOM PARTY of Florida