Changes

On May 5, 2012, Johnson easily won the Libertarian Party nomination on the first ballot. He received approximately 70% of the vote while the next closest candidate received 25%. He nominated former [[California]] [[judge]] and marijuana legalization advocate [[Jim Gray]] to be his Vice President. This was confirmed on the first ballot with Gray receiving roughly 60% of the vote.  

On May 5, 2012, Johnson easily won the Libertarian Party nomination on the first ballot. He received approximately 70% of the vote while the next closest candidate received 25%. He nominated former [[California]] [[judge]] and marijuana legalization advocate [[Jim Gray]] to be his Vice President. This was confirmed on the first ballot with Gray receiving roughly 60% of the vote.  

Johnson is expected to be on the ballot in every state, with the possible exception of [[Oklahoma]]. [[Douglas Schoen]], a columnist for [[Fox News]], wrote a column in support of Johnson's campaign, saying "With neither Obama nor Romney offering an overarching message that has been able to resonate with an electorate that is becoming increasingly cynical about anyone's ability to fix this country’s ongoing, trenchant and most vexatious problems – Gary Johnson’s voice is one that needs to be heard".<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/05/12/gary-johnson-could-catch-presidential-race-by-surprise/?intcmp=related</ref> Another Fox News article reported on the challenges Johnson will experience getting into the debates - he needs to be on the ballot in enough states to potentially gather 270 electoral votes (almost a given at this point), and he needs to poll at 15% in several polls. PPP was the first poll to include him, but [[Zogby]] is now mentioning him as well. He is currently polling between 4 and 10 percent.  

Johnson is expected to be on the ballot in every state, with the possible exception of [[Oklahoma]]. [[Douglas Schoen]], a columnist for [[Fox News]], wrote a column in support of Johnson's campaign, saying "With neither Obama nor Romney offering an overarching message that has been able to resonate with an electorate that is becoming increasingly cynical about anyone's ability to fix this country’s ongoing, trenchant and most vexatious problems – Gary Johnson’s voice is one that needs to be heard".<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/05/12/gary-johnson-could-catch-presidential-race-by-surprise/?intcmp=related</ref> Another Fox News article reported on the challenges Johnson will experience getting into the debates - he needs to be on the ballot in enough states to potentially gather 270 electoral votes (almost a given at this point), and he needs to poll at 15% in several polls. PPP was the first poll to include him, but [[Zogby]] is now mentioning him as well. He is currently polling between 4 and 10 percent.  

Governor Johnson did not have his name on the ballot in [[Michigan]] due to a [[sore loser law]]. However, he was registered in Michigan as a valid write-in candidate. Governor Johnson was three minutes late in withdrawing from the Republican Priamry and was thus on the ballot. Therefore, he is not allowed to run on another line. The case is currently pending. However, another Gary E. Johnson, a Texas businessman, has volunteered to stand in on the ballot if needed, and his electors would vote for Governor Johnson if he carries the state. Since ballot access in Michigan is by party, not person, one of the two Gary E. Johnsons should be on the ballot. However, the Michigan Secretary of State, Ruth Johnson, claimed Michigan has no procedure for switching candidates, in spite of precedent to the contrary. So, Johnson ended up with partial access in Michigan, but had no access, even as a write-in candidate, in Oklahoma. Johnson/Gray had ballot access in the other 48 states, write-in access in Michigan, and full access in [[Washington DC]]. He was the third party candidate who had the most availability on the 2012 Presidential ballot.

Governor Johnson did not have his name on the ballot in [[Michigan]] due to a [[sore loser law]]. However, he was registered in Michigan as a valid write-in candidate. Governor Johnson was three minutes late in withdrawing from the Republican Priamry and was thus on the ballot. Therefore, he is not allowed to run on another line. The case is currently pending. However, another Gary E. Johnson, a Texas businessman, has volunteered to stand in on the ballot if needed, and his electors would vote for Governor Johnson if he carries the state. Since ballot access in Michigan is by party, not person, one of the two Gary E. Johnsons should be on the ballot. However, the Michigan Secretary of State, Ruth Johnson, claimed Michigan has no procedure for switching candidates, in spite of precedent to the contrary. So, Johnson ended up with partial access in Michigan, but had no access, even as a write-in candidate, in Oklahoma. Johnson/Gray had ballot access in the other 48 states, write-in access in Michigan, and full access in [[Washington DC]]. He was the third party candidate who had the most availability on the 2012 Presidential ballot.