In early August, the Tennessee Libertarian, Green and Constitution Parties will file a lawsuit, challenging the constitutionality of Tennessee’s ballot access laws for new or previously unqualified parties. Tennessee requires a petition signed by 2.5% of the last gubernatorial vote. The petition must say that the signers are members. The petition is due 4 months before the primary.
No group has complied with this requirement since 1968. Tennessee and New Jersey are the only two states in which only the Democratic and Republican Parties have been qualified parties, during the last 25 years.
Tennessee is in the 6th circuit. Last year the 6th circuit ruled that Ohio’s new party petition requirement, which hadn’t been used successfully since 2000, is too difficult. That Ohio precedent will control this case.
Dear Richard,
Thank you for the follow up on the Ballot Access suit. As the Chairman of the Hamilton County Libertarian Party of Tennessee, and on behalf of Libertarians, Greens and Constitution Parties, everywhere, I greatly appreciate the work you’ve done and continue to do, relating to fair voting practices!
Please keep up the good fight!
Mo Kiah-Chair, Hamilton County Libertarian Party