U.S. District Court Judge John G. Koeltl has set a briefing schedule in the ballot access case filed by the SAM Party. This case is not related to the health crisis. Instead, it is a challenge to the New York ballot access law passed on April 1, 2020, which changes the definition of “political party” from a group that got 50,000 votes for Governor, to one that got 130,000 votes or 2%, whichever is greater, for the office at the top of the ballot every even-year. Parties that fail to poll 130,000 votes for President in November 2020 (or 2%, whichever is greater) will go off the ballot.

The SAM Party has been ballot-qualified in New York since November 2018. It points out that it has no intention of running anyone for president in 2020.

SAM filed its brief on May 18. The state’s brief is due June 25. The SAM Party’s reply brief is due July 15.