Distributed by the Green Party of the United
States http://www.gp.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 20, 2006

GREEN PARTY OF NEW YORK STATE
http://www.gpnys.org

• Exclusive Debates Violate Voters' Right to Make
Informed Choice
• Green Party of New York State Responds to
League of Women Voters Sponsorship Withdrawal

Contact: Gloria Mattera, Co-chair, 917 886 4538
or gmattera@gmail.com
Peter LaVenia, Co-chair, 518 463 8653 or
mactyler42@yahoo.com


The Green Party of New York State welcomes the
decision by the League of Women Voters (LWV) of
New York State to withdraw from the upcoming
debates for Attorney General and US Senate.
According to the League, "The voters of New York
State deserve better."

After some pressure, the LWV reconsidered its
original exclusion and declared both Rachel
Treichler and Howie Hawkins, Green Party nominees
for Attorney General and US Senate, to be "bona
fide contestants" and thus eligible to
participate in the debates. When none of the
co-sponsors would accept the League's decision to
include them, the LWV of NY State withdrew its
sponsorship. (http://www.lwvny.org)

"My inclusion in debates," said Senate candidate
Hawkins, "would allow the voting public to hear
more about the issues in this significant race. I
am one of several antiwar candidates running, and
to silence any of us at this crucial juncture
muzzles a large percentage of antiwar New
Yorkers." Hawkins added, "Though the latest Zogby
poll shows my campaign at 21% among independent
voters, a level that more than satisfies the
League's last criterion for inclusion, the fact
that I am on the ballot is all that should
matter."

Peter LaVenia, co-chair of the Green Party of New
York State, pointed out that "a growing number of
voters find the artificial restriction of debates
to Democratic and Republican candidates a
complete sham. When alternative candidates are
included, both viewership and voter turnout
increase. When Independent candidate Jesse
Ventura was included in gubernatorial debates in
Minnesota, he went from 10% in the polls to over
30% in just a few weeks. And then he became
governor. That would never have happened had he
been excluded from the debates. This indicates
why major party candidates strive to keep voters
from hearing alternative candidates."

Even if it did not increase participation, all
legitimate voices should be included because it
is the right and democratic thing to do. Some
candidates and parties are "weak," unable to
"demonstrate significant public support" because
they've been systematically excluded by corporate
control of nearly all popular forms of
information, Without exposure, it's next to
impossible for a candidate to gain enough public
support to raise enough money to get enough
exposure to gain significant public support.

"Many voters are frustrated," said Rachel
Treichler, Green Party candidate for Attorney
General, "by the closed nature of our current
electoral system. A poll last spring by Princeton
Survey Research Associates found that 73% of
Americans think it would be a good idea to have
more than just Republican and Democratic choices
in the 2008 presidential election. It's
disappointing that voters in this state election
will not have the opportunity to hear all the
candidates debate the issues together in the same
public forum."

Challenge to the League of Women Voters

The Green Party believes that all candidates who
successfully petition to get on the ballot,
should be included in all forums and debates,
especially televised debates, so voters can make
informed choices. "True democracy is allowing
voters to hear all the candidates' views so they
can vote for the one who truly represents their
vision," said Gloria Mattera, former candidate
for Brooklyn borough president and co-chair of
the Green Party of New York.

The LWV is perhaps the only non-governmental
organization that has the clout to ensure equal
access to the electorate for all candidates. The
Green Party of New York State urges the League to
take the lead in fostering an attitude of
democratic inclusion and to pressure all other
debate sponsors, especially TV stations, to do
the right thing.

The exclusion of alternative candidates because
of biased criteria, bolstered by opinion polls
that include only Democratic and Republican
candidates, is happening all over the country.
See the press release issued on Thursday, October
12, by the Green Party of the US.
(http://www.gp.org).

Green Party candidates and their supporters
continue to lobby media outlets and nonprofit
organizations to sponsor inclusive debates. New
York City Green Party members will join Green US
Senate candidate Howie Hawkins outside WABC
Studios (Columbus Ave & 66 St) to protest his
exclusion from the US Senate debate sponsored by
that station on Sunday, October 22, at 8 AM.

To learn more about the Green Party's Peace
Slate, go to: http://www.gpnys.org

Candidate's web-sites:
http://www.hawkinsforsenate.org
http://www.voterachel.org
http://www.votemalachymccourt.org
http://www.alisonduncan.org
Julia for Comptroller