Let New Yorkers Choose
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Why Larry Sharpe Is Challenging New York’s Ballot Access Laws
New York’s ballot access laws are supposed to ensure that candidates have meaningful public support before appearing on the ballot.
That makes sense.
But when those laws are used to keep qualified candidates off the ballot—even after they’ve already demonstrated substantial statewide support—they stop serving voters and start protecting political insiders.
That is why Larry Sharpe is challenging New York’s ballot access system.
The Question Is Simple
If a candidate has already:
- Appeared on the statewide ballot
- Received nearly 100,000 votes
- Raised more than $1 million
- Built a statewide campaign organization
- Earned significant public recognition
- Demonstrated ongoing voter support
Why should that candidate have to prove their viability all over again through an increasingly complex and expensive petitioning process?
The purpose of ballot access laws is to determine whether a candidate has meaningful support.
For Larry Sharpe, that question was answered years ago.
What Changed?
In 2020, New York dramatically increased the barriers facing independent candidates and minor parties.
Supporters of the changes argued they would reduce ballot clutter and ensure serious candidates qualify for the ballot.
In practice, the new rules have made it significantly more difficult for independent candidates to compete statewide.
Today, success often depends less on voter support and more on access to attorneys, consultants, petition firms, and the resources necessary to navigate a highly technical process.
The result is fewer choices for voters and less political competition.
This Is Bigger Than One Campaign
This challenge is not just about Larry Sharpe.
It is about whether ordinary New Yorkers can realistically build political movements outside the Democratic and Republican parties.
It is about whether voters deserve meaningful choices.
It is about whether election laws should encourage competition or discourage it.
When independent candidates repeatedly fail to gain ballot access, donors stop donating, volunteers stop volunteering, and citizens stop believing change is possible.
The damage occurs long before Election Day.
The damage occurs before campaigns even begin.
Why Voter Choice Matters
Competition improves every other part of society.
It improves businesses.
It improves ideas.
It improves services.
And it improves politics.
When voters have more choices, candidates must work harder to earn support.
When voters have fewer choices, political institutions become less accountable.
A healthy democracy requires competition.
A healthy democracy requires choice.
What This Challenge Seeks
Larry Sharpe’s challenge asks a fundamental question:
Should ballot access laws be used to determine whether a candidate has public support, or should they be used to prevent competition before voters have a chance to decide?
The challenge seeks recognition that the purposes behind ballot access laws have already been satisfied when a candidate has demonstrated substantial statewide support through previous elections, fundraising, public engagement, and voter backing.
Ultimately, this effort is about protecting the rights of New Yorkers to hear different ideas, support different candidates, and choose for themselves who deserves to lead.
Stand With Voter Choice
Whether you support Larry Sharpe or not, every New Yorker should support a fair system that allows voters—not political gatekeepers—to decide who appears on the ballot.
Democracy works best when voters have choices.
New Yorkers deserve those choices.
Join us in defending voter choice, political competition, and a stronger democracy for everyone.