Ralph Nader's Wisconsin supporters want him on the ballot here. In order to achieve that goal, they need to collect 2,000 signatures this month, although Justin Richardson, a Wisconsin co-coordinator for the independent Nader-Gonzalez campaign, says the goal is to collect twice that number.
The rules to get an independent presidential candidate on the ballot are different in all fifty states. Under Wisconsin campaign rules, the campaign has one month — this month — to collect those signatures. Richardson says Nader offers a contrast to the mainstream candidates. "A main goal of the campaign is to shift political power away from corporate special interests, and back into the hands of the American people," says Richardson. "The Nader-Gonzalez campaign gives a voice to anyone who is dissatisfied with choosing between a Republican and Democrat."
Won't Nader just take votes from Democrat Barack Obama? "Yeah, I hear that a lot," acknowledges Richardson. "I believe there's no such thing as vote stealing. A vote has to be earned by each candidate." According to Richardson, the latest numbers show Nader polling at about six percent nationwide.