On October 4, the Federal Election Commission ruled that Unity.08 is not restricted in its fund-raising activities. It is not a “political committee” for federal campaign finance law purposes, concerning raising money. However, it is limited by federal campaign finance law at the point at which it begins spending money.

Unity.08 was formed earlier this year. It’s goal is to hold an on-line presidential nominating process, and then get that presidential candidate on the 2008 ballot as an independent.

On Sep. 27, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled that elections officials must carry out validation of initiative petitions, whether they think the initiative would be valid law if it passed or not. The case is Liberty Lobby of Idaho v Wright, 31792.

The case arose several years ago when an initiative to regulate marijuana was circulated. County elections officials refused to process the petitions on the grounds that if the initiative got on the ballot and passed, it would contradict federal law. The Idaho Supreme Court said elections officials must process all initiative petitions, regardless of their content. The lower court had not only refused any relief, it had ruled that the lawsuit was frivolous, but that lower court decision has now been overturned.

Ryan Davidson, Chairman of Liberty Lobby of Idaho (no connection with the old right-wing Liberty Lobby) says the decision has breathed new life into the campaign.

On October 3, a lower Arizona state court refused to require the Maricopa County elections department to check again for possible missing write-ins.

Libertarians running in the September primary for two legislative seats and one Justice of the Peace seat were only one or two write-ins short of having enough to be considered nominated. However, the Libertarians couldn’t actually identify any particular voters who said they had cast a write-in vote that wasn’t counted.