Arenza Thigpen Jr.

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Arenza Thigpen Jr. is an American petition drive manager (a type of political consultant) and international direct democracy activist based in Anchorage, Alaska. [1]

Contents

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

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References

  1. Department, KTOO News; Anchorage, Anne Hillman-KSKA (2014-11-27). "Anchorage residents demonstrate in solidarity with Ferguson, MO". KTOO. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  2. Green, Catherine (2015-03-20). "Meet the Michael Jordan of Signature-Gatherers". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  3. "Campaigns turning to paid signature gatherers". Press Herald. 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  4. 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.
  5. Kilroy Funds Chargers Petition to Mess with One Paseo Signature-Gathering, Voice of San Diego, March 3rd 2015, Scott Lewis
  6. 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.
  7. Dulaney, Cody. "Fort Myers junkyard vote will have consequences". The News-Press. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  8. Lee, Carol E. "Sarasota city voters to decide on 'livable wage' in November". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  9. Arenze thanked the Commission for placing a ballot measure on the ballot: MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 4, 2007
  10. The Ralph Nader effect: Alaska drops fight against nonresident signature gatherers, Anchorage Daily News, October 20th 2017, by Nathaniel Herz
  11. Extra marks on ballots held up tabulating on Anchorage’s Election Night, Alaska Public Media, April 9th 2021, by Kavitha George
  12. The Anchorage municipal election is today. Here’s what to know., PBS, April 5th 2022, by Wesley Early
  13. Arenza in 2016 listed on "State of Alaska: Certificate of ascertainment of appointment for electors of President and Vice President of The United States"
  14. Arenza listed in 2016 & 2020 on "State of Alaska: Division of Elections: History of Electors: Electors for President of the United States"
  15. Arenza listed in 2020 on "State of Alaska: Certificate of ascertainment of appointment for electors of President and Vice President of The United States"
  16. Voices from the Global Forum: Arenza Thigpen Jr - USA, Democracy Policy Network, March 29th 2019
  17. Alaskans rally to protect, KAUU, June 11th 2016, Blake Essig