5,000 signatures needed to get Nader on state ballot

Monday, Feb. 23, 2004 | 10:38 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Ralph Nader supporters would have to collect nearly 5,000 signatures of registered voters in Nevada to get him onto the November ballot as an independent candidate for president.

Nader announced Sunday he would make a fourth run for the White House, this time as an independent. Nader acknowledged today that it will be difficult to get his name on the ballot in all 50 states.

Nader, whom Democrats blame for costing Democrat Al Gore the election in 2000, lacks major party support or resources for his candidacy that has riled the Democratic Party. Unlikely to get the Green Party nomination, he faces an uphill battle to get on the ballot, which requires money and signatures.

Four years ago, Nader was the candidate for the Green Party, and received 15,008 or 2.46 percent of the votes cast in the election in Nevada. President Bush received 301,575 to 279,978 for Al Gore.

Political scientist Fred Lokken said Nader could be an "election spoiler." He said he has talked with Democrats who are "hugely disappointed" by the announcement of Nader.

Lokken, assistant director for technology at the Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, said Nader's decision "is good news for Bush and bad news for the democratic nominee."

He said he expected Nader to qualify for the Nevada ballot. But he did not think Nader would get on the ballot on all states.

As a consumer crusader, Lokken said Nader has a consistent backing of people. And he receives votes in Nevada from those with strong environmental views.

Ronda Moore, deputy secretary of state in charge of elections, said that to qualify for the ballot Nader's supporters must present a petition signed by the number of registered voters equal to 1 percent of the total number of votes cast in the last general election for candidates for the offices of representative in Congress. 10