Ballot access is the key. As it stands now, the only third party in Georgia that can compete in statewide races without petitioning is the Libertarian Party. Over the years, by consistently running candidates, the Libertarian Party has achieved the status of "Political Body" but is still prevented from running candidates for the Georgia State House, the Georgia State Senate and the US House of Representatives due to the damnable petition law passed in 1943. To require petitioners to get 5% of the registered voters in a particular district to sign a petition is a hurdle that only a handful of state level candidates have been able to clear over the last 66 years. Not one third party candidate has successfully qualified for a run at a US House of Representative seat since the legislation was passed. It is time for change.

I think the petitioning requirement should be reduced to 1% of the votes cast in the prior election, not 5% of a district's registered voters, the petition process should be expanded to include electronic means, i.e. email, blog sites ect, and the just to shake things up, the Libertarian concept of NOTA (None of the Above) should be a ballot choice as well.

Keep in mind that the current system resulted in 61 democratic members of the Georgia legislature having no opponents in their local elections in the 2008 cycle. And 82 Republicans got a free ride as well. out of 180 seats up for re-election, 141 of the encumbents were not challenged by anybody.

Perhaps Sec of State Handel will see the light and lead way for fair and open elections here in Georgia. Time will tell