On September 14, a New York state court ruled that the Women’s Equality Party has no valid officers and no valid bylaws, so until that changes, the party can’t nominate anyone for any office this year. The decision is DeLabio v Fronczak, Niagara County Supreme Court, 156792.

New York election law says when a group polls 50,000 votes for Governor and becomes a ballot-qualified party, a majority of its statewide nominees are then empowered to name the party’s temporary officers. But after the November 2014 election, only two of the party’s four statewide nominees acted. All four of the party’s nominees were also the Democratic Party’s nominees. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor signed the paperwork, but the Attorney General and Comptroller nominees did not. The opinion says, therefore, the party has no legitimate officers and therefore no legitimate bylaws. All of its nominees this year are now off the ballot, unless the decision is reversed on appeal. Here is the opinion. Thanks to Mike Drucker for the link.