Alabama Ballot Access Case Soon to be Before U.S. Supreme Court

November 20th, 2007

Swanson v Alabama Secretary of State, the ballot access case filed in 2002, will soon be before the U.S. Supreme Court. The cert petition will be filed in a week. Printing costs are being born half by the Center for Competitive Democracy, and half by the Coalition for Free & Open Elections (COFOE). Thanks to all of you who have contributed to COFOE over the years.

The case challenges the 3% petition (for all new party and independent candidates, except for presidential independents) combined with the early June petition deadline.

3 Responses to “Alabama Ballot Access Case Soon to be Before U.S. Supreme Court”

  1. Demo Rep Says:
    November 20th, 2007 at 8:45 am

    Can the genius lawyers detect that —

    SEPARATE ballot access laws are NOT EQUAL ballot access laws ???

  2. Darryl W. Perry Says:
    November 20th, 2007 at 11:32 pm

    I hope this law gets overturned, and statewide races have a cap of 5,000 signatures. If 5,000 is all that’s needed for an Independent Presidential candidate, why should more be needed for an Independent Gubernatorial candidate?

  3. ETJB Says:
    November 21st, 2007 at 1:19 pm

    Part of the problem is that the court really seems to believe some things about elections and third parties that impact their views.

    I read a good article about this that basically looked at the assmptions that the court has about elections, ballot access, third parties. etc.

    I think i have a link on my website.