Citizens First makes November ballot

Tuesday, July 18, 2000 | 10:15 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Ross Perot's former Reform Party, now called Citizens First, has qualified for the November election ballot, the secretary of state's office said Monday.

Susan Morandi, deputy secretary of state for elections, said county clerks have verified the party collected an estimated 7,700 valid signatures of voters. To gain a place on the ballot, the petition needed only 4,098.

The party has yet to select its presidential nominee, but it has a slate of candidates for top offices in Nevada.

Bill Grutzmacher is running for the U.S. Senate; W.G. "Swannie" Swenson is the nominee for the 1st Congressional District, and Ken Brenneman is the party's choice for the House in District 2.

As of May, Citizens First or the Reform Party had 726 voters registered statewide, with 529 in Clark County.

Meanwhile Morandi notified county clerks Monday to begin verifying the signatures on the petition by the Green Party, which has nominated Ralph Nader for president. She said the petitions have 9,076 signatures.

The Green Party has nominated Kathryn Rusco for the U.S. Senate and A. Charles Laws for the House in District 2.