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Libertarian Party Appeals Ruling in Ohio Ballot Access Case
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The Libertarian Party of Ohio is asking a higher court to reconsider a federal judge’s determination that Ohio’s law imposing new ballot access limits on minor political parties didn’t violate their constitutional rights.
In a court filing Thursday, the party said it is appealing a decision by U.S. District Court Judge Michael Watson to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Watson rejected the party’s arguments twice – once in March, once in October – on different aspects of the 2014 law’s constitutionality. The measure set stiffer criteria for minor political parties to qualify for Ohio’s ballot and maintain access to it.
Libertarians and their allies in the Green and other minor parties maintain the law effectively eliminated all minor-party candidates from 2014 primary ballots and unfairly disadvantaged third parties.