WASHINGTON--Americans Elect, a new third party group is now on 12 state ballots, adding California on Monday, the group announced.
From Americans Elect: "Ballot access gives Californians an opportunity to use their electoral power by voting in the first ever nonpartisan, nationwide presidential nominating convention in June 2012 at AmericansElect.org. America's choice of a unity presidential ticket will be on the general election ballot in November 2012. "
The Obama team raised a concern last week for the first time over the prospect of a third party contender in November. Obama campaing manager Jim Messina said the drive by a new group called Americans Elect -- bankrolled by millionaire businessman and private equity firm honcho hedge fund manager Peter Ackerman -- may result in a third-party presidential candidate on the ballot "in a lot of states" which will be "something we have to deal with."
below, release from Americans Elect....AMERICANS ELECT QUALIFIES FOR THE BALLOT IN CALIFORNIA,
55 ELECTORAL VOTES NOW UP FOR GRABS
Californians will have a third choice for president in 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 19, 2011 - Americans Elect, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded by citizens from across the political spectrum, today announced that it has been certified to be on the ballot in California, the 12th state where Americans Elect has earned 2012 presidential ballot access.
The California Secretary of State certified a petition with 1.62 million signatures, making this the largest single signature gathering drive in the state's history and one of the largest in U.S. history.
"Ballot access in California is a major milestone in achieving ballot access in all 50 states," said Kellen Arno, Executive Director of Ballot Access and National Field Engagement. "Submitting 1.62 million signatures in California, a politically complex and diverse state, is testimony to the fact that Californians are looking for a better choice in the electoral process and one that will put an end to partisan gridlock in Washington."
Ballot access gives Californians an opportunity to use their electoral power by voting in the first ever nonpartisan, nationwide presidential nominating convention in June 2012 at AmericansElect.org. America's choice of a unity presidential ticket will be on the general election ballot in November 2012.
"With the state unemployment rates hovering around 12 percent, record numbers of Californians losing their homes and our education system being decimated by funding cuts, the people of California are desperate for their elected representatives to stop clinging to their ideological differences at the expense of helping Californians weather the worst economic downturn in decades," said Darry Sragow, senior advisor to Americans Elect.
Americans Elect is the serious third choice for 2012. To date, over 2 millions Americans have visited the site, 15 million questions have been answered, over 330,000 people have signed up as delegates, and 435,00 have become Facebook fans. Every registered voter can sign up to be a delegate at www.AmericansElect.org.
Lynn Sweet is a columnist and the Washington Bureau Chief for the 
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