Randy Credico is the U.S. Senate nominee (full term) for the Libertarian Party of New York, and also the U.S. Senate nominee for the Anti-Prohibition Party.  On October 6 he, along with both political parties,  filed a federal lawsuit against a New York election law that doesn’t permit his name to be listed twice, even though both the parties that nominated him are on the ballot and even though New York permits fusion for qualified parties.  Neither the Libertarian Party, nor the Anti-Prohibition Party, is a qualified party in New York.  The case is Credico v New York State Board of Elections, eastern district, cv10-4555.  Here is the brief.

The judge obligingly has already held a hearing and is promising a quick decision.  The New York law says when a qualified party and an unqualified party jointly nominate a candidate for statewide office, that candidate is printed on the ballot twice, and a voter can choose which label to support.  But when two unqualified parties jointly nominate someone, the candidate’s name can be printed only once (although both party labels are next to the candidate’s name, in small print).

Kentucky election law section 118.315 says that independent candidates for city office need 2 signatures, but independent candidates for other partisan local office that covers just part of a county need 20 signatures.  An independent candidate for Louisville Metro Council, Deonte Hollowell, filed a petition of four signatures, and all four were valid.  He was put on the ballot.

However, his Democratic opponent then sued, charging that independent candidates for that office need 20 signatures, not 2.  On October 6, a state court in Jefferson County construed the law to require two signatures, not 20.  See this story.  The case is Clark v Hollowell, 10ci-6470.  The Democratic candidate is considering whether to appeal.  The independent candidate is the incumbent in his race, and he has Republican and Democratic opponents.

Alaska, New York and Wisconsin are among the states that elect the candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor jointly.  The candidates for each party are listed in one space on the ballot, and the voter must choose a team.

Nevertheless, Alaska, New York, and Wisconsin this year have printed on the ballot tickets that include a candidate for one office, but not the other one.  In Alaska, the Alaskan Independence Party will appear on the November ballot with Don Wright for Governor and no one for Lieutenant Governor.  The Alaskan Independence Party had also appeared on the November 1998 ballot with a candidate for Governor but not for Lieutenant Governor, so there was a precedent that Alaska permits “half-tickets.”

In New York, the Rent is 2 Damn High Party is listed on the ballot with a candidate for Governor, but none for Lieutenant Governor.

In Wisconsin this year, the Libertarian Party appears on the November ballot with no one for Governor, but someone for Lieutenant Governor.  Also there are two independent candidates on the Wisconsin ballot for Governor, but neither has a Lieutenant Governor running mate.  See this story about the Wisconsin situation.  The article says the Libertarian candidate for Governor failed to gather 2,000 “votes” to get himself on the primary ballot, but the article ought to say “signatures.”  Thanks to Kimberly Wilder for the New York information.