From Julian Bond to C. B. King, Andrew Young, Hosea Whilliams, John Lewis, Charles Morgan, 20 Jan 1970

January 20, 1970

MEMORANDUM

TO: Attorney C.B. King Rev. Andrew Young Hosea Williams John Lewis Attorney Charles Morgan

The thought has just struck me that if C.B. runs for Governor as a Republican, then every voter who votes for him will be unable to vote for any of the blacks who presently hold public office in Georgia on the state level. They are all Democrats, and will be running for primary nomination on the very same day. As you all know, state law prohibits a voter from splitting his ticket, or voting in both elections.

It will therefore have to be as a Democrat or Independent.

He cannot expect that any black elected official - except yours truly - will support him, but most will remain neutral unless their own elections are challenged.

Therefore, I should think that the best route would be to run as an Independent in the general election, if - and this is a big if - the prospective voter can vote for C.B., a Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, a GOP candidate for Comptroller General and so on.

Sincerely,

Julian Bond