Libertarians Win Ballot Access Case (Again)

Federal Judge Kristine Baker ruled in favor of the Libertarian Party of Arkansas and against Secretary of State John Thurston on Friday, saying the states recent changes to ballot access law for new parties was unconstitutional on six counts. The party only had 2020 ballot access due to an injunction against enforcing the law until the constitutionality of the law was determined. That access is now assured.

Among the complaints, the state legislature had changed the number of voter signatures required for ballot access from 10,000 to 3% of the vote (over 26,000 at the last election), and that new parties should not have to file with the major parties 425 days before the election because new parties nominate by caucus and thus do not participate in the primary. Regarding the timing and the level of scrutiny the state should undergo, in 2019 I was plaintiff in a case that touched on the same issue for independents and my case was a primary cite for the court in determining those issues. 

Congratulations to the Libertarians for winning in court. The state legislature has a rather thuggish habit of waiting a decade or so until the judges are not looking and changing the law back again. This upcoming documentary will investigate that shameful record.