The Fight for an Independent Presidency: Breaking Free from the Two-Party System
Dear America,
A successful write-in campaign is not just possible—it's long overdue. For too long, our nation has been held captive by the red-or-blue binary, a system that gives us only two real choices and excludes any other voices from participating in the most critical decision our country faces: who leads the Executive. The two-party system has grown into a self-sustaining machine, preserving its own power while ignoring the will of the people. The only way forward is to break free from these confines and reclaim our democracy.
This campaign, as a write-in candidacy, is a bold attempt to return the Presidency to Independence, free from party entanglements. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, we must ask ourselves: Are we still an independent people? Are we really free when our choices are so heavily restricted?
Spoiler Alert: The Real Stakes in This Election
Over the past few weeks, many of you have reached out to me, concerned about the idea of being a "spoiler" in this election. I understand your worries. People have expressed support for my goals, my platform, and my vision for reform, but they fear that a vote for me could inadvertently help elect the candidate they least want to win.
Let me address this directly: I believe that no vote is wasted when it’s cast in good conscience. One voter told me that he voted for Ralph Nader in 1996, knowing that Clinton was likely to win, but didn’t regret that vote. At the time, he believed in what Nader stood for and wanted to support his platform. He felt no regret—until 2000.
This voter shared how, when the 2000 Bush vs. Gore election came down to a few hundred votes in Florida, it was a shocking realization. Nader had won around 97,000 votes in Florida. While not all of those voters would have cast a vote for Gore, many of them likely would have—and the race was decided by just a few hundred votes. That moment changed the way he saw his vote. He said he remembered watching the results unfold and thinking, “Did my vote four years ago partially cause this mess by enabling Nader?" That moment, for him, felt of regret, guilt, and remorse. The election of 2000 was mired in controversy, recounts, and ultimately a decision by the Supreme Court. Since then, this voter has struggled with how third-party or Independent campaigns can function in such a polarized political environment. He even wondered if he should have voted for one of the two major candidates in 1996 to prevent the 2000 fallout.
This voter now believes that presidential ballots should only show two names—no third-party candidates, no Independents, no spoilers. But he is also open to reforms like Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), and even more willing to consider the system I'm proposing—a lottery-based selection of potential candidates—because it offers a fresh perspective.
We debated the numbers, too. He suggested the lottery system might need to start with 500 or 1,000 citizens, but I argued that 100 would suffice. After all, we’ve been choosing from only two for decades, so opening the pool to 100 randomly selected Americans would offer more than enough diversity of thought and leadership ability. Even if only 50 to 60 citizens were serious contenders after a few months, the people would have the opportunity to vote for the best among them through RCV. It’s a far cry from the binary choice we have now.
These conversations leave me convinced that no vote is ever truly wasted. I don’t believe in being a spoiler. I believe in giving Americans a real option to vote for someone who truly represents them. That’s why we are pushing forward with this write-in campaign.
The Future of the Fial Forward Campaign
As we move forward, there is no need to "end" this write-in campaign on Halloween. Instead, I’ll be encouraging voters to take their time, learn about all the candidates, and vote with their hearts. If by late October, it looks as though our polling shows we can’t win, I will still stand by my principles and ask voters to cast a vote they can live with, not one motivated by fear of "spoiling" the election.
I will continue to encourage voters to write in their choice for President—whether that’s John Fial, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, or another candidate. The important thing is that we send a message that we won’t be shackled by a system that limits our choices. The longer we allow this system to function, the harder it will be to break free from it.
Write-In Votes: A True Test of Democracy
As we approach the 2024 Presidential election, it’s important to understand how states differ in their treatment of write-in candidacies for President. Broadly speaking, states can be categorized into several groups based on their rules, and these differences can have a profound impact on the effectiveness of a write-in campaign. Here’s a breakdown:
States That Do Not Allow Write-In Candidates:
A total of 7 states do not allow write-in candidates for President at all. This denies voters the opportunity to vote for anyone not officially listed on the ballot, which raises questions about the breadth of voter choice. These states represent 40 electoral votes and a population of approximately 19 million people.States Where the Deadline for Write-In Candidacy Has Passed: Some key states have already closed their windows for write-in registration:
Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Tennessee, West Virginia. These states have a total of 185 electoral votes.
This raises issues of fairness and inclusivity. We must step back and ask ourselves: if a voter’s write-in vote is not counted, is the citizen’s vote truly legal? As such, I will be petitioning these states – via their voters and their State Congresses – with a letter apologizing for missing their deadlines, and requesting an emergency session be convened to allow write-in votes to be counted.
States with October Deadlines: There are still important states with upcoming deadlines in October, providing a crucial opportunity for the campaign.
These include: California, New York, Illinois, Virginia, Minnesota, Kentucky, Connecticut, and Wisconsin, which combined offer 149 electoral votes.
These states are still accessible for filing electors or write-in declarations, and provide a crucial opportunity for us to make this a legitimate three-way race.
If you live in one of these states, now is the time to act.
States with No Deadline or Requirements:
A handful of states take a more permissive approach, allowing voters to write in candidates without requiring any pre-registration or electors. These states represent 16 electoral votes and a combined population of around 13 million people, providing flexibility to voters who want to support independent candidates.
In a true democracy, every vote should count. Yet in many states, if a write-in vote isn’t tallied, is the vote really legitimate? Is the system truly democratic if voters can’t express their preference for a candidate? As we push forward, let’s make sure that every vote is honored and that America’s voters reclaim their right to choose.
The Unconstitutionality of State Restrictions on Write-In Votes
Here’s something that many of you may not know: in seven states, voters cannot even write in a candidate for President. These states include:
Hawaii (4 electoral votes) — Population: 1.46 million
Nevada (6 electoral votes) — Population: 3.22 million
New Mexico (5 electoral votes) — Population: 2.12 million
South Dakota (3 electoral votes) — Population: 909,824
Oklahoma (7 electoral votes) — Population: 4.02 million
South Carolina (9 electoral votes) — Population: 5.19 million
Arkansas (6 electoral votes) — Population: 3.03 million
Together, these seven states control 40 electoral votes and a population of over 19 million people. While significant, this still leaves 472 electoral votes in the remaining 43 states, which is more than enough to win the Presidency (270 electoral votes are required to win). That means our campaign can win—but only if we ensure voters have access to real choices in those states.
In my view, these states’ refusal to allow write-ins is unconstitutional. The Constitution gives states power to regulate elections, yes, but presidential elections are different. The Presidency belongs to all Americans, and limiting voters to a two-party choice violates the spirit of our democracy. These restrictions abridge citizens' rights to vote for who they truly believe should lead the country. 19 million Americans are not truly being allowed to vote for President!
In a nation built on the principles of freedom and choice, how is it possible that millions of Americans are denied the right to write in a candidate for the highest office in the land? I believe the federal government should set the rules for presidential ballot access, not the states. This is why I am calling for a Constitutional amendment that reforms the way we elect our President.
A Bold New Vision for Presidential Elections
This brings me to the future of our democracy. The system I propose—a lottery-based selection of candidates, followed by Ranked Choice Voting—is a bold departure from the status quo. Every four years, a diverse group of Americans would be chosen at random to run for President. From that group, the people would select their leader, free from the influences of money, political parties, or entrenched power structures.
Imagine a system where the President isn’t just someone who has spent decades climbing the political ladder or amassing the wealth needed to run. Instead, the President could be a teacher, a scientist, a veteran, or a small business owner—someone chosen by their peers, evaluated on their merits, and elected by the people. This is how we return to the true spirit of American democracy.
Some have suggested that the lottery should start with 500 or 1,000 candidates. While that’s worth discussing, I believe that even with just 100 candidates, we’d have an excellent pool to choose from. After a few months of campaigning, the top candidates would emerge naturally, and the people would have the chance to vote for the leader they believe in through RCV.
This system is far from perfect, but it is a massive improvement over the current model, where only the rich, connected, or deeply partisan have a real shot at the Presidency. As we often say about our democratic republic, it may be flawed, but it’s better than the alternatives. This lottery system would be far better than what we have now.
Call to Action: Voters in States Where Write-Ins Are Not Allowed
If you live in one of the seven states where write-in votes are not allowed, I urge you to stand up for your right to a full democratic process. Every American deserves the freedom to choose the candidate who best represents their values—not just the names that appear on the ballot. Contact your state representatives, write letters, and join us in pushing for future reforms that allow true voter choice.
While this election may not offer you the ability to cast a write-in vote, your voice is powerful. Help us make the case that all Americans deserve the right to vote for their chosen candidate, no matter the state they live in.
Call to Action: Voters in States Where Deadlines Have Passed
If you live in a state where the deadline for write-in candidacies has passed, I still need your support to ensure that every vote counts. I am petitioning state legislatures to allow emergency sessions so that write-in votes can be counted. Here’s how you can help:
Share the Open Letter: Please circulate the open letter to state lawmakers, fellow voters, and your community to push for emergency action. Public pressure is key to making sure your voice is heard.
Spread the Word: Even though the deadlines have passed, you can still support our broader movement by sharing our essays, campaign information, and vision for healing our nation.
While these deadlines may have closed, together we can still create change by making sure no vote is silenced.
[Link to the 1-page apology blog post here.]
Call to Action: Voters in States with October Deadlines
If you live in California, New York, Illinois, Virginia, Minnesota, Kentucky, Connecticut, or Wisconsin, you still have a crucial role to play in this historic election. With October deadlines fast approaching, we need your support now more than ever.
Electors Needed: Our campaign still needs electors in several of these states to ensure that write-in votes are properly counted. If you or someone you know is eligible and willing to step up as an elector, this is your chance to be a part of this historic movement. Reach out and help us meet the requirements before the deadlines close.
Write-In Votes: You can help make a difference by writing in your candidate of choice—whether it's me, John Fial, or someone else who represents real independence. Ensure you know your local deadlines and submit your write-in vote by mail or in person. Your vote can send a powerful message in these key states.
Circulate Our Campaign: Even if you can’t serve as an elector, you can still make a huge impact by spreading the word. Share our essays, campaign messages, and the open letter to your networks. Let’s make sure every voter knows they have the power to write in their choice for President.
Check your local deadlines and submit your vote by mail, in person, or whatever method is available to you. Make sure your voice counts!
Conclusion: A Historic Opportunity
We stand at the crossroads of history. The 2024 election could be the last election under this broken system, and I hope to be part of the movement that transitions us to something new—something that finally works for all Americans. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, what better time is there to reclaim the ideals of independence and self-governance?
The Fial Forward campaign is about healing: healing our people, healing our politics, and healing our planet. Let’s make sure that we give our children and grandchildren a better system than the one we have now. It’s time to act, and I invite you to join me in this fight for a better, more democratic future.
With gratitude,
John Fial