Votelaw, Edward Still's blog on law and politics

Those "ballot access" laws make Texas one of the most difficult states for alternative parties to participate anywhere in America.

In fact, they are so restrictive that most former Soviet Union countries are more receptive to new parties and participatory democracy.

Whether or not you support third parties, you ought to support their right to participate in the political process. -- David Cobb: New parties have trouble getting on Texas ballot (DallasNews.com)