The Forward Party of Massachusetts
Today I joined Keoni Aricayos (MA Forward State Lead), Kerry Healey (former MA Lt Governor under Mitt Romney & current Executive Chair, Forward National Board), and several other Massachusetts voters on the steps of the State House for a press conference to announce that the Forward Party is officially a political designation in Massachusetts — the first step to becoming a fully recognized political party in the Commonwealth and enabling voters to formally update their voter registration to the Forward Party!
You know it’s historic when they tell you: “We don’t have a form for this.”
The Elections Division had to repurpose the candidate nomination receipt in order to document approval of the political designation petition.
The State House News Service, WGBH News, the Boston Herald, and Politico reporters were all in attendance at the press conference, and I will share coverage and clips as they become available on the Media page of this website.
After the press conference, we walked around the corner to the Elections Division office and filed the paperwork with well over the 50 necessary signatures and corresponding voter registration certificates of Forward Party enthusiasts from across the state, including many from right here in Waltham. As soon as the Elections Division has an opportunity to update its website and database for voter registration, voters will be able to register under the designation of the Forward Party.
Importantly, for primary election ballot selection purposes, all Forward Party members will still be treated as “unenrolled” and able to select a ballot from any party on the day of the election (at least until we are receive full recognition as a party — more on that below), so it is a no-lose option for voters of any party or none at all to support independent and non-incumbent candidates in state, local, and congressional elections!
What’s Next?
With an ambition to quickly become the second largest political party in Massachusetts, over the next few years the Forward Party of Massachusetts is seeking to obtain full political party recognition by either having at least 1% of voters in the Commonwealth register as a member of the Forward Party or having a state-wide candidate win at least 3% of the vote in Massachusetts.
With 60% of voters currently “unenrolled” it is clear there is plenty of room for a new “big tent” party that can attract sane, competent, and competitive candidates, volunteers, and voters! If you are a Waltham voter interested in learning more about Forward here locally, please Contact me (regardless of which district you are in). If you are a Massachusetts voter from another city or town, feel free to email Massachusetts@ForwardParty.com.
Supporting Local News
Today, I’m also announcing as part of my platform a proposal to create the Minuteman Local News Consortium to save independent hyperlocal news media in Massachusetts and reignite the waning spotlight on municipal governments.