On April 4, the Connecticut Libertarian Party filed a federal lawsuit over ballot access and other election law problems.  Libertarian Party of Connecticut v Merrill, 3:20cv-467.  It is assigned to U.S. District Court Janet C. Hall, a Clinton appointee who earlier had struck down the ban on out-of-state circulators.  Here is the Complaint.

In late March, the Connecticut Secretary of State had recommended that if a party is on the ballot for one statewide race, then for 2020 it should be deemed to be qualified for all partisan office.  But only the Governor can implement this idea, and so far he has refused to respond to the Secretary of State’s suggestion.  If he had accepted the Secretary’s idea, the Libertarian Party would not have needed to petition in 2020, because it polled over 1% for President in 2016 and also polled over 1% for Treasurer.

The lawsuit had a hearing on April 20, and the state agreed to settlement talks, which will be complete by May 4.  The lawsuit does not just challenge the need to petition in 2020, but in all years.  It also attacks the state law that says parties that received over 20% for Governor are listed on the voter registration form, but other qualified parties are not listed, and an applicant must write them in on the form.