Ken Block knows many people are dissatisfied with politics as usual in Rhode Island and Tuesday he delivered the proof he needs to the state Board of Elections to put the Moderate Party of Rhode Island on the ballot next year.

In fact, he has the names and addresses of 33,998 Rhode Islanders who at least are receptive to another party. And of that number, 757 live in Johnston and another 3,136 in Cranston. An additional 4,236 Providence residents signed the petition to breathe life into the new party.

With such big numbers in the metropolitan area, it’s no wonder that Block and his people were certain to get those signature sheets to the boards of canvassers of each municipality for verification purposes as quickly as they could. Deliveries to the boards were made Tuesday. In order to be qualified to appear on the 2010 ballot, the party needs 23,589 certified signatures. The Board of Elections confirmed there were at least 24,000 signatures. The boards have six days to certify signatures meaning the Moderate Party could become the state’s first political party to gain certification through the signature process within the month.

But Block, a businessman who lives in Barrington and the driving force behind the Moderate Party, doesn’t believe it’s going to be an easy road. He should know.

Block started his drive when he authored an op-ed in 2007 that was published in local papers. Based on the favorable comment he received, Block commissioned an opinion poll that confirmed his belief that many Rhode Islanders were looking for more from their elected officials. The poll results were picked up by talk radio and the movement gained momentum from there.

To get this far the party with the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union took their case to Federal District Court when the Board of Elections, backed by the Attorney General, maintained that state law prohibited their efforts to get on the ballot at this time. Under the law the party would not have been able to start the collection of signatures until January 2010. Also, to become certified the party would need to collect the signatures of least 5 percent of the total number of those who cast ballots for governor in 2006.

The party contested the timing provision on grounds that it denied them the time to organize and field candidates. The 5 percent provision, they said, is extreme on the basis that the average requirement across the country is about 1.5 percent of those casting ballots in a General Election.

Block says that fight exemplifies what’s wrong with state politics.

“They all looked at it [the law] and they knew it was blatantly unfair, but this is the way the political establishment works to protect its own,” he said.

With a favorable court ruling on the timing issues, the party launched its drive in June to collect the required certified signatures. Eighty-five people, 72 of them volunteers and the remaining 13 who were paid $1.50 for each signature, fanned out across the state. In addition, Block initiated a $20,000 radio campaign to create public awareness of the party and its four “E” platform.

Block explains the party has “taken the social issues off the table” and is looking to recruit candidates who aren’t looking to make a career out of politics, but rather address issues relating to the economy, education, ethics and the environment.

“The ideal person,” Block said of a prospective Moderate Party candidate, “is someone who is almost falling on their sword.” By that, he explained, people who want to correct the system and bring accountability to state government. He believes many Rhode Islanders fall into that category and that during the signature drive canvassers talked to an estimated 50,000 Rhode Islanders.

But how will the party find candidates, how will it mount contests for state legislative seats which Block sees as critical to changing the system?

That step will come after the signatures have been certified.

“We’re already doing some of the then what?” says Block.

Critical to the party’s future, assuming it gets through the signature certification process, which Block expects won’t happen without a fight, is that its candidate for governor garner at least 5 percent of the vote. Without that, the party would be required to go through the process of again collecting in excess of 23,000 certified signatures to be listed on the next ballot.

“And I don’t want to do this again,” says Block.

Block said he has had discussions with Lincoln Chafee, but that the former U.S. Senator is gearing up to run as an independent for governor. He has also talked with former Attorney General and talk show host Arlene Violet as a candidate as well as several others whose names he did not disclose.

“By the end of October we’ll have a candidate for governor,” he vowed.

Thus far Block estimates about $100,000 in hard dollars and contributed legal services from the ACLU have been spent on the campaign to give birth to the party. He valued ACLU efforts at $50,000.

Ironically, he notes, the only positive aspect of not being a recognized party at this point “is that you are not accountable for the money you spend.”

And while the 2010 election may seem a long way away, Block feels pressed for time. He recognizes the party needs to raise money, hire a staff and retain an office – Block has been working out of his business office on Alteri Way in Warwick.