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.

There are unconfirmed rumors that Congressman Justin Amash has become a dues-paying life member of the Libertarian Party and that he will seek the party’s presidential nomination.  There are also rumors that former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura may seek the Green Party presidential nomination.

The last time that either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party nominated someone for president who had not declared as late as April of the election year was 1952, when the Democratic Party nominated Adlai Stevenson at its July 21-26 convention.  He had not desired to be a presidential candidate, and had said so clearly.  But he gave the welcoming speech at the Democratic Chicago convention, because he was the host Governor, and his speech was received so well, delegates insisted that he run.  He did not want to run against General Dwight Eisenhower, but at the convention he agreed to do so.

On April 23, U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer put her oral order of April 21 into a formal memorandum and order.  Libertarian Party of Illinois v Pritzker, n.d., 1:20cv-2112.  As reported previously, the Libertarian Party and the Green Party are now on the ballot for President and U.S. Senate, and the Green Party is also on for two U.S. House districts, and some Cook County county board offices.

Libertarian and Green candidates for other partisan offices need a petition that is 10% of the formal requirement, as do independent candidates and the nominees of other unqualified parties.  Here is the 10-page opinion and order.

The petition deadline is extended to August 7.  That date is included in the injunction order. Electronic signatures are partially permitted.