The organization's initial strategy was to gain ballot access in states that do not require a candidate to be named, and then name its candidate after the major party conventions. The candidate was planned to be named by an advisory board rather than through traditional primary elections, or through a crowdsourcing effort like the failed Americans Elect effort in the 2012 election.[2] On August 8, 2016, it was reported that Evan McMullin, an anti-Trump Republican and former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) official, would be Better for America's nominee.[3][4][5] McMullin was officially nominated on August 24.[6]
In July, the organization filed petitions in two states, New Mexico and Arkansas.[7] By early August, Arkansas had accepted the petition,[8] while New Mexico had rejected the petition because it did not have enough valid signatures,[5] although the New Mexico decision was challenged in court.[9] On August 22, the organization announced that it was ceasing further ballot access efforts.[10] On September 8, the New Mexico Secretary of State reversed his decision and placed Better For America on the ballot.[11]
