This week begins one of the busiest times of the year in politics and most voters are totally unaware of it. June 7 begins the five-week period of petitioning, when political activists stand around in supermarkets and street corners or use lists of registered voters and walk door-to-door asking people registered to their political party to sign a petition to get their candidates on the ballot.
This year, however, is one which cycles around every fourth year when there is no national, state or city offices up for election. In Queens, the only public office up for election is for District Attorney. Richard A. Brown, a Democrat, is running for reelection for his sixth term. He is well thought of by people across the political spectrum, having built one of the most highly respected prosecutorial offices in the state. While Brown is unlikely to receive any serious challenge, he still needs to petition to get on the ballot.
This year people will also be petitioning to elect party officials. Mandated by state election law, every political party must have candidates to run for their state and county party committee and they must all petition to get on the ballot. If more than one person petitions to run for the same party office, they face off in an election held on primary day. These officials serve a two year term. Republicans elect their party officials in odd numbered years and Democrats in even years, so this year you will see Republicans out petitioning for party offices.
Republicans generally use lists of registered voters from the Board of Elections and walk door-to-door. Our antiquated election law requires they obtain hundreds and thousands of signatures throughout the borough in order to maintain a legally constituted political party. It’s not easy work, especially as the weather gets hotter in late June and early July. And it gets harder and harder every cycle to get volunteers to do this work. No one enjoys it.
So, if you are a registered Republican and someone knocks on your door asking you to sign a Republican Party petition, please take pity on the poor hardworking soul. They are likely hot and tired with sore feet motivated by passion and reverence to maintain our democratic system. If you are a Republican and you want to help out, want to sign a petition for your district or want to see which candidates are endorsed by the Queens Republican Party, you can call the Queens GOP at 718-690-3737 or email QueensGOP@gmail.com. Any help is always greatly appreciated.
Robert Hornak is a Queens-based political consultant, blogger, and an active member of the Queens Republican Party.
