Web primary could add third choice for president

As Republican presidential contenders continue to battle their way through primary contests to see who will challenge President Barack Obama in November, a group outside the two-party system is developing another nomination method, one they claim is nonpartisan and designed to return the voting process to the people.

Americans Elect, a nonprofit,  is working to gain ballot access in all 50 states in order to offer a third choice for president, a candidate who will be selected through an online process accessible to all American voters.

Americans Elect has already been ballot certified in 17 states: Florida, Kansas, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Nevada, Michigan, Ohio, Utah, Mississippi, Colorado, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, New Mexico, Wyoming and California. The group is awaiting final certification or is on the ground collecting signatures for ballot access in the other states, including Idaho.

Their plan is to hold an online nominating convention in June with the winner on the November ballot in every state.

On their website, the group states: "Americans Elect an alternative to the dysfunctional party process, and gives all voters a greater voice, a greater choice and an equal vote, no matter their party or where they live. And by nominating a nonpartisan ticket through a secure, online convention, Americans Elect will create a path for our leaders to start working together constructively to develop fresh ideas and real solutions that address the serious challenges facing our country. It's time to change politics as usual."

They say they are not a third party, and remain unaffiliated.

Americans Elect says it accepts individual contributions, and will not take funds from special interest groups, corporations or political action groups.

They say they do not fund candidates, but rather, provide financial support for the nationwide ballot certification process and their online infrastructure.

Candidates are already being drafted, and several have declared their intention to seek the Americans Elect nomination. 

Former Louisiana governor, Buddy Roemer, a recent Republican presidential hopeful, is listed as a declared candidate on the group's website. 

Potential candidates listed on the site include Jon Huntsman, Michael Bloomberg and Ron Paul.

Any American voter can be an Americans Elect delegate, and any constitutionally-eligible can be a candidate.

Everything can be done online at the group's website.

Information: www.americanselect.org