On January 10, a U.S. District Court held oral arguments in Green Party of Tennessee et al v Goins, a lawsuit in which the Green and Constitution Parties challenge the Tennessee ballot access law for new and previously unqualified parties. The law requires slightly more than 40,000 signatures, due April 5. UPDATE: here is a news story about the hearing.

The hearing seemed to go well for the minor parties. The judge seemed unpersuaded that Tennessee has an interest in requiring so many signatures for minor parties, when the state only requires 25 signatures for independent candidates (and 275 signatures for independent presidential candidates). Also he seemed troubled by the early deadline.