Attorneys for Connecticut are trying to persuade a federal court to rule that the state’s discriminatory public funding law is constitutional, and that the court should not even hold a trial to gather evidence. The law, passed in December 2005, provides for public funding for the nominees of parties that polled 10% in the last election. Other nominees cannot get public funding unless they submit petitions of up to 20% of the last vote cast.

The Green Party filed a lawsuit against the law on July 6, 2006. All sides originally assumed their would be a trial. However, now the state argues the law is so obviously constitutional, there is no need for any further evidence. The Brennan Center for Justice has intervened on the side of the state. The ACLU’s brief on behalf of the Green Party, arguing that summary judgment is inappropriate, is due April 27.