As previously noted, last month Kentucky Educational TV, a government agency, sponsored a U.S. Senate debate and only invited the Democratic and Republican nominees, even though the Libertarians also had a nominee on the ballot. The party sued and failed to gain injunctive relief, and the debate went ahead with only two candidates on October 13.
The party believes it is correct that Kentucky Educational TV erred, and hopes to win declaratory relief. The U.S. Supreme Court had ruled in Arkansas Educational TV v Forbes that when public TV sponsors a candidate debate, it must include every candidate who has a bona fide campaign. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling did not give permission for public TV to exclude people based on poll results.
Kentucky Educational TV is opposing the party’s request to file an amended complaint. The judge will soon rule on whether the party may amend its complaint. An amended complaint will guarantee that the case can’t be ruled moot, and will provide a framework for the next stage of the case. The case is Libertarian National Committee v Holliday, e.d., 3:14cv-63.
Hope the Libertarian Party gets a fair ruling. But there won’t be any fair elections in this country until all legitimate 3rd parties and Independent candidates are allowed on the ballot of the jurisdiction being sought, and that all candid dates are allowed to participate in any Public Debate.
Of course, I’ve left out financed campaigns – at least on the federal level, but not holding my breath on any of these becoming a reality in my lifetime.