In September 2005, the Iowa Libertarian and Green Parties sued Iowa in federal court, over procedures that force all voters to register “Republican”, “Democratic”, or “independent.” Iowa and Kansas are the only states that don’t have a blank line on the political party question on voter registration forms. Instead, they just have checkboxes for each qualified party, and the choice to be an independent.

For almost a year, Iowa officials have been indicating they want to settle the lawsuit out of court, but progress toward implementing the exact settlement has been agonizingly slow. But signs are that it will be settled by May 31. The settlement will include a procedure by which voters can register as members of unqualified parties, if those unqualified parties have been active in the state.