Tennessee Files Brief in Libertarian Party Ballot Access Case

On January 30, Tennessee filed its brief in Darnell v Hargett, m.d., 3:23cv-1266. This is the Libertarian Party case that challenges the Tennessee petition requirement for a group to become a qualified party. Here is the state’s brief. It doesn’t even mention the Sixth Circuit decision Graveline v Benson, 992 F.3d 524 (2021), in which Michigan’s petition requirement of 30,000 signatures for a statewide independent candidate was struck down, on the grounds that it was obviously more difficult than necessary for any state interest, because it had only been used twice since it was created in 1988.

Tennessee is also in the Sixth Circuit, and Tennessee’s party petition hasn’t been used since 1968. It requires 43,498 signatures.


Comments

Tennessee Files Brief in Libertarian Party Ballot Access Case — 6 Comments

  1. The state’s argument is the tried and true method of “wave of the hand” argument that the claims don’t matter without much support at all.

    Presenting the outcome of the Michigan case by comparison is interesting for a response and the contention on a likely appeal.

    Darnell has done amazing work as the Tennessee LP Vice Chair. He’s an adopted Floridian.

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