Introducing: Signing Day
May 15th
Next week, Friday, May 23rd, will see the launch of “Signing Day,” a day dedicated to helping collect signatures for minor parties and independent candidates.
The brainchild of our friends in the Legal Marijuana Now Party, the premise is simple: independent and minor party candidates are seeking volunteers for petition circulation. 70% of U.S. voters say they want a “third party” (read “something else”). So let’s give them a day that lets folks introduce people to candidates, causes and everything that might need help gaining signatures.
It’s my personal hope that Signing Day can one day turn into something akin to a coming out party for minor party and independent candidates; a day where voters meet said candidates perhaps for the first time, and getting to know them and their campaigns/causes a little more while helping out.
This year, being new, we’re not expecting a major turnout or anything crazy. However, the journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step, and I think it’s more important to get the ball rolling than waiting for the path to smooth itself out.
We aren’t launching Signing Day in 2026 so 2026 has a successful Signing Day; we’re launching in 2026 so that, one day, every year’s Signing Day is a successful one.
Here’s the premise, laid out by the LMNP:
Goal: Bring notoriety, credibility and opportunity to independent candidates and bring the opportunity for voters to have electable candidate options that are not part of any of the entrenched parties.
Counter measures created by the two party system that minimize the independent candidates chances of being elected.
Give back to the independent people that supported the Legal Marijuana Now Party’s successful efforts to legalize marijuana in Minnesota and beyond (and every supporter of minor parties and independent candidates who keep our movements afloat.)
Who: Candidates and voters; active citizens.
What: Signing Day is a day to publicize the petitioning and gathering of signatures as a long held civil tradition and with a purpose to protect our constitutional rights including the freedom of assembly, freedom speech and the duty to protect against voter discrimination by helping gather signatures for petitions and especially for independent candidate petitions.
When: May 23rd, either regularly or perhaps the fourth Friday in May yearly? (This detail will be ironed out later)
Where: Wherever there is a petition to be circulated and signed, and whoever needs those signatures.
Why: To promote independent thought and personal point of view, and introduce voters to the other options perhaps for the first time that cycle.
How: Gather partners and eventually setup locations known to hold petitions for the public to sign and even holding local sighing booths at courthouses and at state capitol locations.
The “Signing Day” idea was introduced to the U.S. Pirate Party by the Legal Marijuana Now Party, which, in turn, we forwarded to the idea to parties such as our coalition partners in All Hands for a Free Future, the U.S. Transhumanist Party, and other friendly minor parties such as the National Bull Moose Party, the California and Yankee National Parties, respectively, to name a few. We hope as many minor parties and independent candidates decide to get on board with this as possible.
Next week is Signing Day! Help gather signatures and raise awareness to the candidates and causes the corporate media and parties aren’t telling you about.