Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, a party that receives five percent of the popular vote qualifies for federal matching funds for the next election.
Since 2000, the Commission on Presidential Debates required that candidates reach 15 percent in national polls to participate in the presidential debates. The criterion are the greatest obstacle to democratic presidential debates. The Seattle Times editorialized, "The 15 percent threshold suits the two parties. It unduly restricts the American people."
A signature of this petition asks the Federal Government to allow registered voters on a Presidential primary ballot to select a third-party ticket they wish to receive federal matching funds and to participate in presidential debates.