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Ohio Elections Chief, Voter Prevail in Libertarian Challenge

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A federal judge has delivered a legal victory to Ohio’s elections chief and a voter sued by Libertarians for their roles in disqualifying the party’s gubernatorial candidate from 2014 fall ballots.

The Libertarian Party of Ohio sued Secretary of State Jon Husted and voter Greg Felsoci, alleging they were part of a scheme to selectively enforce Ohio election law to help Republican Gov. John Kasich’s re-election bid. The lawsuit alleged that would violate constitutional rights under the First Amendment and Equal Protection Clause.

U.S. District Judge Michael Watson on Friday rejected the party’s claims. He says it failed to prove any conspiracy when Husted disqualified Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Charlie Earl from the ballot for petition violations.

Messages seeking comment from the party and Husted weren’t immediately returned.