The Eleventh Circuit will hear Libertarian Party of Alabama v Merrill, 20-13356, the week of August 23. This is the case over Alabama’s policy of giving a free list of the registered voters to the qualified parties, but charging approximately $36,000 for any other party.
In 1970 the U.S. Supreme Court summarily affirmed a 3-judge U.S. District Court decision that said if a state gives the list free to the qualified parties, it must give it to unqualified parties that are trying to get on the ballot. Nevertheless, the U.S. District Court in Alabama ruled in favor of the state, saying the state has an interest in gathering revenue.
The state of Alabama already gathers revenue off of a bunch of other things. When was the last time an unqualified party or independent paid the outrageous fee they want for the voter list, which they give to Democrats and Republicans for free? I bet it has been many years, if anyone has even bought this list. If they really need the revenue so badly, why do they provide the list for free to Democrats and Republicans?