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Rochester mayoral candidate Chris Maj may have assured himself a spot in the November election by filing

Petitions secure ballot spots Candidates across Monroe County create alternative party banners

Joseph Spector Staff writer (August 27, 2005) — Rochester mayoral candidate Chris Maj may have assured himself a spot in the November election by filing enough signatures this week to earn his own line on the ballot.

Maj, a Democrat, was one of about two dozen candidates in Monroe County who filed independent petitions to run in the November election on their own party lines. In New York, potential candidates can get a specified number of petition signatures to form their own party and get a spot on the bottom of the ballot. And they often come up with unique names for the parties.

Maj, for example, is running on the Red, White and Blue Party along with three candidates for City Council.

Maj, a 26-year-old first-time candidate who wants to legalize drugs, is one of four Democrats vying for the Democratic nod in a Sept. 13 primary. As the biggest underdog to win the primary, Maj said he wanted to ensure his campaign continues through November. He said he got the 1,500 signatures needed to be on the ballot.

"These ideas are taking off. People like them," Maj said. "Everybody else is getting a shot in November; I'm getting a shot, too."

The validity of Maj's petition could be challenged by another campaign. Yet the deadline expired Friday, and no objections had been filed by late in the day.

If Maj is not thrown off the ballot by the county Board of Elections, he would be the fourth mayoral candidate assured a spot on Election Day.

Democrat Tim Mains has the Working Families Party line; Democrat Robert Duffy has the Independence Party line; and John Parrinello is the Republican Party candidate.

Only Democratic candidate Wade Norwood, who won the party's designation at its convention in May, stands to be out of the race if he loses in the primary.

Monroe County Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn, who faces no challenge from Democrats as he seeks a second four-year term in November, may face an independent challenge from Ernest Jones, who recently retired from the Sheriff's Office.

Jones filed a petition this week under the People's Party for Justice banner. But Republicans quickly filed an objection to his petition. The Elections Board will rule on his petition in the next few weeks. Jones could not be reached for comment this week. Two other objections were filed: one against an independent petition filed by county legislative candidate Patricia Amato and one from Greece Town Council candidate Jo Meleca.

JSPECTOR@DemocratandChronicle.com

Independent petitions Candidates can file enough petition signatures to form their own party and appear on the bottom of the Nov. 8 general election ballot. Here's who has submitted petitions in Monroe County:

East Rochester First Village trustee (four-year position): J Michael Ryan, Deborah Dinatale Village trustee (two-year position): Michael Careri

Fairport Village Party Village trustee: Kenneth Rohr Green Party Monroe County legislator, 6th District: Chris Hilderbrant Clarkson justice: Samantha Golden

Improving Balance Party Rush council: Lisa Sluberski

Key Party Riga supervisor: Pamela Moore Riga council: Kenneth Kuter, James Fodge Mendon Future Party

Mendon council: Gregory Soehner

People's Party for Justice Monroe County sheriff: Ernest Jones

Red, White and Blue Party Rochester mayor: Chris Maj City Council: Harry Davis, Christopher Edes, Max Kessler

Save Jobs Party Monroe County legislator, 6th District: Patricia Amato Clarkson supervisor: Kirk Golden Jr. Clarkson justice: Samantha Golden Greece council, 3rd Ward: Jo Meleca Ogden supervisor: Garry Cranker Ogden council: Marie Centola, Mark Seefried Ogden highway superintendent: Gregory Catlin Sweden justice: James Coates Sweden council: George Lloyd

World Citizens Party City Council: Yusuf Sharif