U.S. District Court Judge Myron Thompson will hear oral arguments in Hall v Bennett, middle district, 2:13cv-663, on November 13 at 10 a.m. This is the case over whether the state must cut the number of signatures, or extend the deadline, in special congressional elections, because the petitioning time is so much shorter than in regular elections. The plaintiff in this particular case is an independent candidate, but the case applies equally to minor party petitions.
This case was filed in 2013. It had already had an oral argument earlier this year, but then the case was transferred to a different judge.
The ruling will definitely be interesting for 3rd parties and Independents. It the Court claims there is no need to reduce signature requirements for special elections when time to gather signatures is shorter, then this could be interpreted that this Court will never agree to reduce the signatures for the regular elections.
I think the only way any 3rd party in Alabama will ever get ballot position statewide, is when a particular group of voters in the state gets so put out with either of the major parties and decide it is time to build a protest party. And of course with a statewide Independent candidate, only those of means to pay paid petitions circulators will have any chance.
I could see a scenario where such could happen in Alabama, but will not discuss such here. But let’s pray the Court will open its eyes and see the discriminatory Alabama election law as it pertains to 3rd parties and Independent
candidates obtaining ballot access.
How many MORON STONE AGE State regimes do NOT have REDUCED ballot access law requirements for special elections —
ESP. for USA. Reps and Senators ???
[should be candidate / incumbent rank order lists for replacements]