Alex Snitker, the Florida Libertarian Party nominee for U.S. Senate, has qualified for the ballot by paying the very large filing fee (slightly more than $10,000, although a relatively small part of that money goes to the party). See this story.
He is the first Libertarian Party candidate for U.S. Senator to be on the Florida ballot. The only other minor parties that have had a candidate on the ballot for U.S. Senate in Florida since 1924 are the American Party in 1974, the Natural Law and Reform Parties in 2000, and the Veterans Party in 2004.
The only other states that have never had a Libertarian on the ballot for U.S. Senate are Arkansas, Maine, Maryland, and Rhode Island. The Maryland Libertarian Party is ballot-qualified and may nominate someone for U.S. Senate. The Arkansas Libertarian Party is attempting to become ballot-qualified and if it succeeds, it may run someone for U.S. Senate.
Pingback: When you first heard about internet and world wide web etc what did you think it was going to be? | Tanit Internet World
Go Alex, we need you in there
Pingback: Florida US Senate election: Libertarians qualify for first time, Democrats petition way on, major Republican may switch to independent | Independent Political Report
I not sure I appreciate the rational basis for such high filing fees. I understand the practical reason in having such fees — help cover production and distribution ballot costs — but these seem a bit excessive.
Why not — after a statewide election — grant the top five political parties the right to nominate qualified candidates for partisan public office with little or no filing fees. No signatures required, unless you wanted to wave the fees.
Everyone else — minor parties and independents — could be required to collect say, 1,000 signatures or 1,000 dollars within a span of 300 days prior to the deadline.
Richard: Have there been any lawsuits against such high filing fees?
Yes, Green v Mortham, filed by a Democratic candidate, lost in federal court. The US Supreme Court refused to hear it.