On October 22, the Pennsylvania state elections department ruled that people can cast write-in votes for president without having to write in a complete slate of 21 candidates for presidential elector (in a 2 x 1 1/2 inch space). The Nader campaign had requested the ruling, since Nader is not on the ballot in that state.
Today the Supreme Court declined to put Ralph Nader on the ballot in Ohio.
On Friday, Nader asked the high court to review Ohio’s decision to remove him, arguing that a state law that requires people who collect signatures on candidates’ petitions be registered voters violated free speech rights.
Nader’s request for a review went to Justice John Paul Stevens, who referred the matter to the full court. The justices denied the request without comment Tuesday.
Today the Supreme Court declined to put Ralph Nader on the ballot in Ohio.
On Friday, Nader asked the high court to review Ohio’s decision to remove him, arguing that a state law that requires people who collect signatures on candidates’ petitions be registered voters violated free speech rights.
Nader’s request for a review went to Justice John Paul Stevens, who referred the matter to the full court. The justices denied the request without comment Tuesday.
Following is a report from attorney Andrew B. Spiegel in Illinois:
Nader is still “in court” in Illinois in both federal and state court. In federal (re unconstitutional filing deadline, signature requirement and definition of qualified voter), the U.S. Ct App. 7th Cir denied Nader’s Petition for Rehearing with Suggestion for Rehearing In Banc on October 15th; next step is either an application to Justice JP Stevens or a Petition for Cert to U.S. S. Ct.
On the state level, on October 19th the Il S. Ct. denied Nader’s Emergency Motion for a Rule 383 Supervisory Order, which would have short circuited the appeal process if it would have been granted. This was not, however, a decision on the merits.
The appeal on the merits was denied by the 1st District Appellate Court in an 18 page opinion issued October 22, 2004. A Petition for Leave to Appeal to the Il S. Ct. would be the next step.
The only legal recourse for Nader to appear on the ballot is the Application to Justice Stevens. We are still contemplating this move.
Nader and Camejo each signed 110 Statements of Intent to run as a write-in candidate in Illinois and these were sent to each of the 110 electoral jurisdictions. Calls are being made to each one to insure receipt of the Statement and inclusion in the approved list of write-in candidates.
Joel Hansen, a long-time activist in the Constitution Party in Nevada (the Nevada affiliate of the Constitution Party is called the Independent American Party), may be elected to the Nevada Supreme Court next month. Polls show him virtually tied with the incumbent justice; there are only two candidates in the race. The election is technically non-partisan.
