US Supreme Court Refuses Ohio Indp. Deadline Case

June 5th, 2006

On June 5, the US Supreme Court refused to hear Lawrence v Blackwell, 05-1089, the case challenging the March 1 petition deadline for independent candidates for Congress in Ohio.

The Supreme Court thus continues its pattern of hostility to minor party and independent candidates. Since 1992, every time a minor party or independent candidate wins in a US Court of Appeals and the state appeals to the US Supreme Court, the US Supreme Court grants the state’s appeal and reverses. This has happened 3 times since 1992, in cases from Arkansas (debates), Minnesota (fusion), and Oklahoma (political party control over who votes in its primary).

But whenever a minor party or independent candidate loses in a US Court of Appeals, and asks for US Supreme Court review, the Court says “No”. Since 1992, this has happened in Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

4 Responses to “US Supreme Court Refuses Ohio Indp. Deadline Case”

  1. Kris Overstreet Says:
    June 5th, 2006 at 12:15 pm

    You know, I seem to recall a couple months back reading something to the effect that ballot access requirements tended to come down after independent success, and that such would be the overall trend in the future.

    I find it difficult to believe, considering virtually every bit of news here recently has been about ballot access barriers being upheld or even raised higher…

  2. Craig Brown Says:
    June 6th, 2006 at 2:39 am

    It’s interesting to see the establishment fighting against independents. On May 1st, an independent candidate named Rod Bryan turned in 11,800 signatures in Arkansas to run as an indy for governor. 10,000 signatures were required. It’s now June 6th, and the Arkansas secretary of state has still not given Rod Bryan the go-ahead. They supposedly are still counting and double-checking the validity of signatures. In the meantime, the Republican and Democrat are raising millions in campaign funds.

  3. Rolf Lindgren Says:
    June 6th, 2006 at 10:56 am

    I’m glad I don’t live in Ohio.

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