,

Our campaign is in a pivotal moment. It is the moment that we are tested to see if we are organized enough, resilient enough, strong enough. Our opponents were hoping to catch us by surprise and prove that we weren’t serious.

But they were wrong. 

Last week, a paper-pusher at the Secretary of State’s office decided that, because of a minor clerical error on one of our forms–not redacting Dr. Ware’s phone number on a tax return–that it justified disqualifying our place on the ballot entirely.

We were given a 10-minute window to correct this. When we missed this arbitrary deadline, the Secretary of State gave us no other option.

So we sprang into action. Within 48 hours, not only did we have two parallel lawsuits filed, but we put out a call to action that activated thousands of supporters. We overwhelmed their office’s phone lines. 

While the Secretary of State and the Democratic establishment were hoping that we’d give up, we fought back and demonstrated the immense amount of popular support behind this campaign.

However, the fight still isn’t over. While our lawsuits are airtight and we are confident about the merits of our cases, it is imperative that we continue pressuring their office. 

It is crucial that we call out the lack of ethics and due process, and demonstrate to people in real time how Green Party candidates are suppressed by the establishment. 

Just like how Jill Stein and Dr. Butch Ware were kicked off the ballot in Nevada in 2024, despite the campaign purposely being given the wrong forms by the Nevada Secretary of State’s office.

Just like how Democratic Party operatives impersonated North Carolina Green Party members and harassed people to withdraw their signatures on petitions in 2022.

And I’m confident Green Party members and supporters reading this email can think of many, many more examples where the Democratic Party has intervened and used underhanded tactics to prevent the Green Party from reaching voters on the ballot.

You can help us fight this blatant voter suppression in a few ways:

(1) CALL the Secretary of State’s office at (916) 657-2166. You can use these campaign-approved scripts for guidance. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. Make your voice heard. Tell others to call, too.

*if the office isn’t open, or if you prefer writing, you can also send them an email at [email protected] and [email protected] 

(2) DONATE to our legal fund. As a grassroots campaign that refuses any corporate or PAC donations, we need all the support we can get. Lawyers don’t come cheap, with retainers in excess of $15K and working for hundreds of dollars per hour.

(3) SHOW UP to the public hearing for our case against the Secretary of State on Thursday, March 26th, at 3:30pm at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse, 720 9th St, Sacramento, CA. 

If you live in the Sacramento area or nearby, or know someone who does, it’s pivotal that we show our community support at the hearing as well. Spread the word. We will also be hosting a press conference after the hearing – more details to come.

Dr. Butch Ware and I will both be in attendance at the hearing on Thursday. If you live in the Bay Area, you can take the Capitol Corridor Amtrak up to Sacramento (yay for public transit!). See you at the hearing, and thank you for joining the fight.

It’s only because of our supporters and volunteers that we have a shot at victory. And based on what I’ve already seen, I like our chances. Keep fighting.

In Solidarity, 

Valielza Huynh-O’Keefe (she/her)
Press Secretary, Butch Ware for Governor Campaign
County Council Member, San Francisco Green Party
Email: [email protected]

DON’T FORGET!

✅ Register to Vote BEFORE May 18 to vote in the June 2026 primaries! And register GREEN!

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