On January 30, the Missouri Constitution Party filed a federal lawsuit against St. Louis County officials, over a provision in the charter that says only the two largest political parties may nominate a candidate in a special election to fill a seat on the County Council. “Two largest parties” is determined by the vote for Governor at the last gubernatorial election.
The case is Constitution Party of Missouri v St. Louis County, e.d., 4:15cv-207. The case was assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Ronnie White.
The case is somewhat similar to these two cases from twenty years ago: (1) New Alliance Party v North Carolina State Board of Elections, 697 F Supp 904 (e.d. 1991), struck down a North Carolina law that said newly-qualifying parties couldn’t run for partisan county office; (2) A Connecticut Party v Kezer, 2:92cv-550 (decision of August 28, 1992), struck down a Connecticut law that only the two largest parties could run for Justice of the Peace. Thanks to Carla Howell for this news.
Thank you Missouri CP, and thank you Richard for the supporting cases. Looks like this lawsuit has a good chance at victory. For all the naysayers out there, keep chipping away at this one little piece at a time and the dominoes will eventually fall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JCm5FY-dEY