CA Supreme Court refuses to intervene; Green Party congressional candidate excluded from SF November ballot

GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA NEWS ADVISORY
For immediate release: Friday, Aug. 26, 2004

Contacts:
Cres Vellucci, State Press Office, 916-996-1970,
Beth Moore Haines, GPCA Spokesperson, 530-277-0610,
Sara Amir, GPCA Spokesperson, 310-270-7106,
Baum Campaign 415.424-5881 / Press office 916.996-9170

SAN FRANCISCO – The Supreme Court of California has rejected a petition by Green Party congressional candidate Terry Baum, 8th CD (San Francisco) to place her on the November ballot (BAUM v. S.C. ARNTZ Case Number S127299).

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi is the incumbent in the 8th CD.

The decision lets stand a ruling by San Francisco Superior Court that prevents Baum from being put on the ballot as the Green party candidate, despite the fact that Baum collected enough write-in votes to be nominated.

The Baum campaign said it is exploring other possibilities, including filing for relief in the U.S. Supreme Court, citing the city's violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

The campaign alleged in its California Supreme Court brief that SF elections chief John Arntz violated state privacy laws by first counting Green Party ballots, and then ignoring the intent of the voters by refusing to validate hundreds of write-in votes – although Baum's name was clearly written on the ballot by voters.

"This case is so simple. Green Party members voted to put me on the ballot, their intent was clear, and their vote was not counted. Can anything be more central to democracy than the guarantee of having your vote counted? It's outrageous that the California Supreme Court won't even look into this. They're disenfranchising all the Green voters who want me on the ballot. This is not a good day for democracy," said Baum.

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The Green Party of California
http://www.cagreens.org
P.O. Box 2828, Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
gpca@greens.org