Judge allows Libertarians' court challenge in New Hampshire to proceed

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Published January 01, 2015

A federal judge has ruled that the Libertarian Party can proceed with its challenge to a New Hampshire law it claims could prevent its candidates from getting on the ballot.

A third party can have its nominees placed on the New Hampshire general election ballot by winning at least 4 percent of the vote for either governor or U.S. senator in the most recent election or by collecting signatures equal to 3 percent of the total votes cast during the prior election. Under a law that took effect in July, parties can't begin gathering those signatures until Jan. 1 of the election year.

The state argues that the change ensures that signatures on nomination papers are valid, but the Libertarian Party sued, arguing that it would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the party to petition its way onto the ballot.

The state asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, but U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro refused. In a ruling this week, he noted that the right to vote must be balanced against the state's interest in conducting orderly elections, but said whether or not the new restrictions are reasonable depends on factors that have yet to be explored.

"The state offers a number of arguments in favor of dismissal, but none are persuasive," he wrote.

In 2012, the Libertarian Party ran candidates for president, vice president, Congress and several state-level seats after collecting the necessary signatures, but it began the collection process in 2011. For the 2016 election, it would need to collect 14,864 signatures.

"This signature-collection process is like a marathon that's hard enough just to finish, and now the state is essentially demanding that the Libertarian Party run the marathon in less than two hours. This is unfair and unconstitutional," said attorney William Christie, co-counsel on the case along with the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union.

Attorneys for the party argue that the time limit also effectively prevents the party from meaningfully participating in the general election because it would have to use its limited resources collecting signatures instead of on campaigning and fundraising.

Assistant Attorney General Laura Lombardi, who is representing Secretary of State William Gardner, did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. In court filings, she argued that the new time limits are both nondiscriminatory and reasonable and would impose only a minimal burden on third parties.

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Judge allows Libertarians' court challenge in New Hampshire to proceed

New Hampshire ballot access challenge continues

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CONCORD A federal judge has ruled that the Libertarian Party can proceed with its challenge to a New Hampshire law it claims could prevent its candidates from getting on the ballot.

A third party can have its nominees placed on the New Hampshire general election ballot by winning at least 4 percent of the vote for either governor or U.S. senator in the most recent election or by collecting signatures equal to 3 percent of the total votes cast during the prior election. Under a law that took effect in July, parties cant begin gathering those signatures until Jan. 1 of the election year. ... Subscribe or log in to read more

CONCORD A federal judge has ruled that the Libertarian Party can proceed with its challenge to a New Hampshire law it claims could prevent its candidates from getting on the ballot.

A third party can have its nominees placed on the New Hampshire general election ballot by winning at least 4 percent of the vote for either governor or U.S. senator in the most recent election or by collecting signatures equal to 3 percent of the total votes cast during the prior election. Under a law that took effect in July, parties cant begin gathering those signatures until Jan. 1 of the election year.

The state argues that the change ensures that signatures on nomination papers are valid, but the Libertarian Party sued, arguing that it would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the party to petition its way onto the ballot.

The state asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, but U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro refused. In a ruling this week, he noted that the right to vote must be balanced against the states interest in conducting orderly elections, but said whether or not the new restrictions are reasonable depends on factors that have yet to be explored.

The state offers a number of arguments in favor of dismissal, but none are persuasive, he wrote.

In 2012, the Libertarian Party ran candidates for president, vice president, Congress and several state-level seats after collecting the necessary signatures, but it began the collection process in 2011. For the 2016 election, it would need to collect 14,864 signatures.

This signature-collection process is like a marathon thats hard enough just to finish, and now the state is essentially demanding that the Libertarian Party run the marathon in less than two hours. This is unfair and unconstitutional, said attorney William Christie, co-counsel on the case along with the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union.

Attorneys for the party argue that the time limit also effectively prevents the party from meaningfully participating in the general election because it would have to use its limited resources collecting signatures instead of on campaigning and fundraising.

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New Hampshire ballot access challenge continues

Ballot Access Ruling Favors N.H. Third Party

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Concord A federal judge has ruled that the Libertarian Party can proceed with its challenge to a New Hampshire law it claims could prevent its candidates from getting on the ballot.

A third party can have its nominees placed on the New Hampshire general election ballot by winning at least 4 percent of the vote for either governor or U.S. senator in the most recent election or by collecting signatures equal to 3 percent of the total votes cast during the prior election. Under a law that took effect in July, parties cant begin gathering those signatures until Jan. 1 of the election year.

The state argues that the change ensures that signatures on nomination papers are valid, but the Libertarian Party sued, arguing that it would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the party to petition its way onto the ballot.

The state asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, but U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro refused. In a ruling this week, he noted that the right to vote must be balanced against the states interest in conducting orderly elections, but said whether or not the new restrictions are reasonable depends on factors that have yet to be explored.

The state offers a number of arguments in favor of dismissal, but none are persuasive, he wrote.

In 2012, the Libertarian Party ran candidates for president, vice president, Congress and several state-level seats after collecting the necessary signatures, but it began the collection process in 2011. For the 2016 election, it would need to collect 14,864 signatures.

This signature-collection process is like a marathon thats hard enough just to finish, and now the state is essentially demanding that the Libertarian Party run the marathon in less than two hours. This is unfair and unconstitutional, said attorney William Christie, co-counsel on the case along with the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union.

Attorneys for the party argue that the time limit also effectively prevents the party from meaningfully participating in the general election because it would have to use its limited resources collecting signatures instead of on campaigning and fundraising.

Assistant Attorney General Laura Lombardi, who is representing Secretary of State William Gardner, did not respond to a request for comment earlier this week. In court filings, she argued that the new time limits are both nondiscriminatory and reasonable and would impose only a minimal burden on third parties.

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Ballot Access Ruling Favors N.H. Third Party

Diverse field in sprint for Texas House seat

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Tuesdays special election in Texas House District 123 offers an array of eager candidates vying to replace 14-year state Rep. Mike Villarreal.

Hopefuls include Green and Libertarian contenders, three Democrats and one Republican, all faced with an abbreviated campaign schedule during the holidays, no less to seek support in a potentially low-turnout election.

Villarreal, D-San Antonio, was re-elected Nov. 4, but with lawmakers set to convene Jan. 13, he doesnt intend to serve. Instead, hes giving up the seat to run for mayor.

His departure set up the special election scramble, which could result in a runoff if no candidate captures a majority. Early voting concludes today at 14 polling sites.

Also on the short ballot is a five-candidate race to replace state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, whos also exiting the Legislature to run for mayor in May.

Candidates for the House seat are relying largely on social media to win voters attention, but some have extensive door-to-door campaigns underway and a few have issued numerous direct-mail pieces.

The Libertarian candidate is salesman Roger V. Gary, 68. He served six years on the board of the San Antonio River Authority before running for the Texas Railroad Commission in 2010 and for president of the United States in 2012. He said hes been a watchdog of local water-management policies and opposes current plans for a new water pipeline, as well as toll roads.

Representing the Green Party is clinical psychologist and sleep disorder specialist Paul Ingmundson, 62. He was Villarreals only opponent in November, garnering 14 percent of the vote. Responding to a League of Women Voters questionnaire for that race, he said he was active in progressive politics and an advocate for clean energy, Medicaid expansion, better regulation of water and protection of voter rights.

Republican Nunzio Previtera, 61, an insurance agent and small-business owner, is making his first run for office. A member of the State Republican Executive Committee, Previtera said he wasnt politically active until a few years ago when he decided the country was going in the wrong direction.

Rather than gripe about it you can get involved, he said.

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Diverse field in sprint for Texas House seat

The Incredible Hulk Coaster Review HD Islands of Adventure Universal Orlando Resort – Video

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The Incredible Hulk Coaster Review HD Islands of Adventure Universal Orlando Resort
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The Incredible Hulk Coaster Review HD Islands of Adventure Universal Orlando Resort - Video