Americans Elect Nomination

Americans Elect  |  Libertarian  |  Green  |  Constitution  |  Independent


A Bipartisan or Nonpartisan Ticket?
Americans Elect is a 501(c)(4) which had its origins in Unity08 (see also Unity08 v. FEC).  It sought to organize "the first-ever open presidential nominating process" culminating in an online convention to be held in June 2012.  Leaders of Americans Elect maintained that it was not a political party, but certainly fulfilled some of the roles of a political party. 

Americans Elect had the potential to play a significant  or even decisive role in the November 2012 general election, if it achieved ballot status in all 50 states, and if voters were dissatisfied with the major party nominees, and if it nominated a credible alternative ticket.  Equally there was the possibility that it would be a non-factor. 

The group's objectives appeared high minded: "nominate a presidential ticket that answers directly to voters—not the political system."  However, there were skeptics such as "Americans Elect Watch" ("keeping an eye on a corporate run for President"), and from the outset there were questions about the transparency of the group's finances.

Americans Elect sought to achieve ballot access in all 50 states, and by May 16, 2012 had succeeded in 29 states (+). 

However, while ballot access efforts proceeded apace, all did not go as planned on the candidate side of the equation. 

Americans Elect had candidates actively seeking its nomination and it also sought to inspire by draft entrance (+) into the race of a qualified individual.  Leading candidates for the Americans Elect nomination were former Gov. Buddy Roemer (LA), former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson (UT), activist Michealene Risley, and Laurence Kotlikoff, a professor of economics at Boston University.  Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman showed the most draft support, and in April a bit of buzz developed around former Comptroller General David Walker.

Americans Elect had set in place a process for winnowing the expected field of candidates:

Candidates for the Americans Elect primary were either automatic qualified, meaning they had held significant positions of authority, or contingent qualified.  The bar was higher for contingent qualified candidates.  Whereas a automatic qualified candidate had to "receive at least 1,000 Support Clicks on the Website in each of 10 states before his/her name may be included on the Primary Ballot," a contingent qualified candidate had show five times as much support.

If more than six certified candidates emerged, Americans Elect planned to hold caucuses in May to narrow the field.  These were scheduled for May 8, 15, and 22.   If six or fewer candidates emerged the first convention ballot was scheduled for June 12.  If no candidate achieves more that 50-percent, a second ballot with up to three candidates was to be held on June 19.  If a candidate still has not achieved 50-percent, a third ballot between the top two candidates was to be held on June 26.

On May 1 the first of the planned caucuses was cancelled as there were no certified candidates.  By May 15 Buddy Roemer showed 5,939 supporters, Rocky Anderson 3,244, Michealene Risley 2,229 and Laurence Kotlikoff 1,959.  On May 15 Americans Elect announced that no candidate had reached the threshold, and it woud "confer with its community...before determining next steps (+)."  On May 17 the group announced that its primary process had concluded without a qualified candidate (+).

Principles  |  Pre-election Convention Rules of Americans Elect [PDF]  |  Organization 
Americans Elect 2012 - Candidates Page

Top Candidates
Buddy Roemer
-announced suspension of campaign on May 31, 2012
-announced independent Americans Elect bid on Feb. 23, 2012
-announced Americans Elect bid as a Republican on Nov. 30, 2011
-announced candidacy for Republican nomination on July 21, 2011
-announced exploratory committee on March 3, 2011
President and CEO of Business First Bank in Baton Rouge, founded in 2005.  Waged an unsuccessful campaign for Governor in 1995.  Elected Governor of Louisiana in 1987 as a Democrat; sworn in March 14, 1988, switched to Republican Party on March 11, 1991; defeated in 1991 re-election campaign finishing third in the primary behind Edwin Edwards and David Duke.  Elected to Congress in 1980 representing NW Louisiana as a Democrat and re-elected in '82, '84 and '86; served through March 14, 1988.  Unsuccessful campaign for Congress in 1978.  M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, 1967; B.S. from Harvard University, 1964.  Born October 4, 1943 in Shreveport, LA.
Buddy Roemer for President


Rocky Anderson
(Justice Party; resigned affiliation with the Democratic Party on Aug. 11, 2011)  Founder/executive director of High Road for Human Rights.  Served two terms as Mayor of Salt Lake City, first elected 1999.  Practiced law in Salt Lake City for two decades, eventually becoming president of the law firm of Anderson & Karrenberg.  J.D. from National Law Center at George Washington University, 1978.  Undergraduate degree in philosphy from University of Utah.
Rocky Anderson, Our President 2012, Inc.  |  Justice Party

Michealene Risley
 Filmmaker, author, activist and entrepreneur.  Films are “Tapestries of Hope” (2010) about rape and AIDS in Zimbabwe and "Flashcards" about child sexual abuse (2003).  Founder (2006) of Fresh Water Spigot, a creative content company.  Co-author of “This Is Not the Life I Ordered” (2007).  Has served as vice president of licensing and character development for Sega of America, and vice president of production, development and consumer products for Marvel Comics.  Originally from Michigan, now resident of the Bay Area in California.
Michealene 2012


Laurence Kotlikoff
Professor of economics at Boston University, joined the faculty in 1984.  Senior economist with the President's Council of Economic Advisers, 1981-82.  Served on the faculties of economics of the UCLA and Yale University, 1977-83.  Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University in 1977; B.A. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1973.
Laurence Kotlikoff for President