This newspaper story, published November 16 in the Concord, New Hampshire Monitor, describes the hearing held in Libertarian Party of New Hampshire v Gardner. The story seems to suggest that the judge is skeptical of the law, which provides that qualified parties may buy an inexpensive copy of the statewide voter registration list, but no one else may obtain it. The Secretary of State himself, even though he is the defendant, is opposed to the law.

If the New Hampshire Libertarian Party wins this case, it will be the first time a minor party has ever won an election law lawsuit in New Hampshire. New Hampshire is one of only 2 states in which no minor party or independent candidate has ever won an election law constitutional case. The other state is Montana.

On November 15, the Michigan State Court of Appeals heard the state’s appeal, on whether the state can give the list of presidential primary voters to the major parties, and no one else. The 3 judges had tough questions for both sides. The case is Grebner v State, 281-814. The judges indicated they probably won’t rule until next week, and forced the state to admit that it isn’t absolutely necessary that they rule on November 16.

On November 14, Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro sent out a press release, publicizing the state’s new voter registration forms, which will give voters 5 choices instead of 3 choices. The old forms forced voters to choose Democratic, Republican or Independent. The new forms, available in January, will include Libertarian and Green. This is because of an ACLU lawsuit won earlier this year. See this newspaper story.

Any other party that has placed candidates on general election ballots in the last ten years is also free to be listed on the form, if it submits 850 signatures on a special petition concerning voter registration rights.

Iowans also had the opportunity to register as members of the Green Party during 2001 and 2002, because the Green Party was fully qualified in those years, because Ralph Nader had polled over 2% for president in 2000. Also Iowans were able to register as members of the Reform Party during the period 1997-1998. Iowans have never before been able to register as Libertarians since the Libertarian Party has never been a qualified party in Iowa.