On June 8, U.S. District Court Judge Mark E. Walker issued a two-page order in Independent Party of Florida v Lee, n.d., 4:20cv-110. This is the case filed by the Independent Party of Florida, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, against a Florida law on presidential ballot access. The law, passed in 2011, says that even though a party is ballot-qualified in Florida, it can’t be on for president unless it submits a petition of 132,781 signatures by July 15, or unless it is recognized by the Federal Election Commission as a national committee. The FEC will never give national committee status to a new party, so the law discriminates against new parties.
There was a hearing on June 4, so this is a quick response from the judge. The order says the case needs to develop facts before it can be decided.
Once again, the bi-partisan conspiracy against third party and independent candidates continues.