On November 27, the New Hampshire Libertarian Party won its lawsuit against a state law that gives the statewide list of registered voters to the qualified parties, and no one else. Libertarian Party of N.H. v Gardner, 07-E-327.

The opinion says there is no compelling state interest in giving the list to the qualified parties and not unqualified parties that also run candidates. It will be up to the legislature to re-write the law. It is unlikely there will be an appeal, but it is possible. Assuming the decision stands, this will be the first time a minor party or independent candidate has won a constitutional election law case against a New Hampshire law. The only other such state is Montana.

On November 27, the Michigan State Senate refused to take up HB 4507, the bill that would have the effect of adding several names to the Democratic presidential primary ballot. Thus it appears most likely that the Michigan Democratic presidential primary will go ahead with only Hillary Clinton, Dennis Kucinich, Chris Dodd, and Mike Gravel on the ballot. Thanks to Tom Jones for this news.

On November 26, the Maryland Secretary of State said these names will appear on the presidential primary ballots:

Democrats: Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Gravel, Kucinich, Obama, Richardson (8)

Republicans: Giuliani, Huckabee, Hunter, Keyes, McCain, Paul, Romney, Tancredo, Thompson (9)

Maryland puts presidential primary candidates on the ballot automatically if they are mentioned in news media. Anyone who wasn’t listed has another week to submit a petition.