On March 6, the Third Circuit heard oral arguments in Constitution Party v Aichele, 13-1952. This is the case in which the Constitution, Green, and Libertarian Parties are challenging the unique Pennsylvania system that puts petitioning groups at risk of as much as $110,000 in court costs if they submit a petition that is found not to have enough valid signatures. The hearing went well, and it is very likely that the three judges will find that the plaintiffs do have standing. If that happens, the case will be sent back to the lower court, which had ruled that the parties don’t have standing.

The hearing lasted 45 minutes, and a good number of minor party supporters were in the audience, including Cheri Honkala, the Green Party vice-presidential nominee in 2012. The three judges are Thomas Ambro, Kent Jordan, and Jane Roth.