On October 21, the Arkansas Libertarian Party filed this brief in the Eighth Circuit in Libertarian Party of Arkansas v Thurston, 19-2503. The U.S. District Court earlier this year enjoined the new petition requirement for new parties, 3% of the last gubernatorial vote. The state is trying to persuade the Eighth Circuit to overturn that order. The state’s reply brief is due November 12.
Here is a link to the Alabama Republican Party’s web page, showing 2020 primary filings so far. It shows that Rocky De La Fuente is the first (and, so far, only) candidate to qualify for the presidential primary ballot. Candidates need 500 signatures to qualify.
Politicon will host a Republican presidential debate in Nashville on Saturday, October 26. Former Governor Bill Weld, former Governor Mark Sanford, and former Congressman Joe Walsh, will participate. See this story.
Ohio law provides for a seven-member Elections Commission that always has three Democrats, three Republicans, and one independent. On October 22, U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley issued an opinion in Libertarian Party of Ohio v Wilhem, s.d., 2:19cv-2501.
The opinion says that the composition of the Ohio Election Commission, which always excludes minor party members, cannot stand unless the state can show it is needed for a compelling reason. The order says, “The Commission is authorized to find violations of Ohio’s campaign finance laws, assess fines, and refer violations to the local prosecutor. These decisions, in theory, should not bear on political affiliation; rather, they should be objective determinations based on the law. It is difficult to ascertain why an individual who is affiliated with a minor political party cannot effectively perform this function, or even be considered for a position on the Commission.”
On October 16, the North Dakota Libertarian Party submitted its petition to regain qualified party status. This is only the second Libertarian Party petition drive that has been completed this year; the first one was the Arkansas party petition.
