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Constitution Party Getting Ready to Sue Michigan Over Party Name Change

Posted on October 17, 2007 by Richard Winger

Back in September 1999, the U.S. Taxpayers Party changed its name to the Constitution Party. This change was made democratically at the party’s national convention. All the states in which the party had been on the ballot as “U.S. Taxpayers Party” let the party change its name, except for Michigan. The party in Michigan formally re-named itself “Constitution Party” on September 29, 2007, and has found an attorney to bring a lawsuit, alleging that the First Amendment protects a political party’s wishes about what its name is. Oddly enough, this will be a case of first impression. Most states have no law on the subject of whether a party may change its name. However, most states that have been asked have permitted it.

Comments

Constitution Party Getting Ready to Sue Michigan Over Party Name Change — No Comments

Citizens For A Better Veterans Home[s] on October 17, 2007 at 9:41 pm said:

Nevada: Independent American Party
Alaska: Alaska Independent Party
California: American Indenpendent Party
Cody on October 17, 2007 at 10:21 pm said:

It’s ‘Alaskan Independence Party’ and they’re not a state affiliate… Yet.

Get it right!
Richard on October 18, 2007 at 7:28 am said:

The post specifically covered only states in which the party’s state name had previously been U.S. Taxpayers Party, so the California and Nevada examples are separate from that.
Jeff Becker on October 18, 2007 at 8:28 am said:

and the CP would most probably like to get these state affiliate names changed as well:

Concerned Citizens Party – Connecticut
The Nebraska Party

This is all about the two party control of state election laws to keep out political competition. Crossing my fingers for the lawsuit because otherwise Michigan re-petitioning for voter signatures if it desires ballot access under the “new” name.
Trent Hill on October 18, 2007 at 11:59 am said:

Actually, the Nebraska Party is likely to stay the way it is.
Timm Knibbs on October 19, 2007 at 11:55 am said:

In Connecticut the Concerned Citizens Party has been told that in order to change the name the party would have to re-petition for all offices. The Concerned Citizens Party has been around for about 30 years and as of now there is no consensus to change the name although it has been discussed.
In Alaska the Alaskan Independence Party ran the CP’s candidate for president in 2004 but is not an affiliate.
Dan Meek on October 19, 2007 at 4:29 pm said:

In Oregon, the Pacific Party Party about 12 years ago changed its name to Pacific Green Party. The Secretary of State cancelled all existing Pacific Party registrations and made the new party start over from scratch, in essence.