Michigan Third Parties Coalition

The Michigan Third Parties Coalition (abbreviated MTPC) is a coalition of third parties in the state of Michigan which seeks to change Michigan electoral law in a way which enhances the influence of third parties. The coalition was founded in 2007 in Lansing, MI.

Member Parties

Member parties of the MTPC have divergent and often contrasting political views yet are able to come together on electoral reform. The MTPC currently consists of the following state parties:

* Green Party of Michigan
* Libertarian Party of Michigan
* Reform Party of Michigan
* Socialist Party of Michigan
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History

Voters' Bill of Rights

On November 12, 2007, the MTPC drafted a Voters' Bill of Rights. The document calls for various reforms, including conformity in election regulations across party lines, lowered ballot access requirements, the end of tax dollars funding primaries, guaranteed inclusion of all candidates in public debates, and various other reforms to assist third parties and protect against fraud.

The coalition summarizes the text as follows:

:1. Election laws and regulations shall be identical for all parties.
:2. The requirement to qualify for statewide ballot access shall not exceed 5,000 valid petition signatures.
:3. Public funding of primaries shall be eliminated.
:4. No candidate shall be prohibited from participating in any public debate.
:5. Instant Runoff Voting shall be instituted statewide.
:6. Rotating ballot position shall be instituted statewide.
:7. The ability to vote without producing a picture ID shall not be denied.
:8. Same-day voter registration shall be available in every precinct.
:9. Absentee voting by choice shall be instituted statewide.
:10. Voting machines with verifiable hard-copy ballots shall be required.
:11. Candidates qualified as independents have the right to list their party affiliation on the ballot.
:12. Congressional districts shall be drawn along municipal boundaries by population by a nonpartisan commission.
:13. Delegates for a Michigan Constitutional Convention shall be selected in a nonpartisan election.
:14. The enumeration of these rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people to ensure fair, equal, open and honest elections.

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