Arenza Thigpen Jr. is an American petition drive manager (a type of political consultant) and international direct democracy activist based in Anchorage, Alaska.[1]
Thigpen manages petition drives to put initiatives on the ballot at the state level in 23 states in the United States,[2][3] including Alaska,[4] California[5][6] and Florida.[7] In 2007, Thigpen worked on the Sarasota, Florida "Living Wage" to successfully put the petition on the ballot.[8][9] In 2017, Thigpen worked on the petition drive in Alaska when Scott Kohlhaas successfully challenged the state's ban on nonresident petitioners.[10] In 2021, Thigpen voted to approve all the ballot measures in Alaska & encouraged everyone to get out to vote.[11][12]
Thigpen was an elector for placing US Presidential Candidates on the ballot in 2016 and 2020.[13][14][15]
He has travelled the world lecturing on the importance of having a direct democracy process.[16][17]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Department, KTOO News; Anchorage, Anne Hillman-KSKA (2014-11-27). "Anchorage residents demonstrate in solidarity with Ferguson, MO". KTOO. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Green, Catherine (2015-03-20). "Meet the Michael Jordan of Signature-Gatherers". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Campaigns turning to paid signature gatherers". Press Herald. 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ kate.sosin.oeser.nico.lang (2018-04-02). "Canvassers Pushing Alaska Anti-Trans Measure Didn't Say It Was About Trans People". INTO. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Kilroy Funds Chargers Petition to Mess with One Paseo Signature-Gathering, Voice of San Diego, March 3rd 2015, Scott Lewis
- ^ Mathews |, Joe (2018-05-07). "Here's Your California Democracy. Would You Like Fries With That? | Connecting California". Zócalo Public Square. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Dulaney, Cody. "Fort Myers junkyard vote will have consequences". The News-Press. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Lee, Carol E. "Sarasota city voters to decide on 'livable wage' in November". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Arenze thanked the Commission for placing a ballot measure on the ballot: MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 4, 2007
- ^ The Ralph Nader effect: Alaska drops fight against nonresident signature gatherers, Anchorage Daily News, October 20th 2017, by Nathaniel Herz
- ^ Extra marks on ballots held up tabulating on Anchorage’s Election Night, Alaska Public Media, April 9th 2021, by Kavitha George
- ^ The Anchorage municipal election is today. Here’s what to know., PBS, April 5th 2022, by Wesley Early
- ^ Arenza in 2016 listed on "State of Alaska: Certificate of ascertainment of appointment for electors of President and Vice President of The United States"
- ^ Arenza listed in 2016 & 2020 on "State of Alaska: Division of Elections: History of Electors: Electors for President of the United States"
- ^ Arenza listed in 2020 on "State of Alaska: Certificate of ascertainment of appointment for electors of President and Vice President of The United States"
- ^ Voices from the Global Forum: Arenza Thigpen Jr - USA, Democracy Policy Network, March 29th 2019
- ^ Alaskans rally to protect, KAUU, June 11th 2016, Blake Essig
External links edit
- Arenza Thigpen Jr. ham radio operator Amateur License
- Arenza Thigpen listed in 2019 as a contributor to the Global Forum of Direct Democracy in Italy
- Arenza was quoted on The Cascadia Advocate, the Northwest Progressive Institute's uplifting perspective on world, national, and local politics
- Arenza is listed as a 3rd Party Voter Registration Organization in Florida
- Arenza list on the 2019 Taiwan Direct Democracy Forum
- Thigpen in 2017 listed on: Alaska State Legislature: Senate Affairs