Posted on 09/01/2005 4:54:43 PM PDT by freepatriot32
The Libertarian Party announced Wednesday that it plans to file a lawsuit challenging the State Board of Elections decision to drop the partys official status in North Carolina.
Were tired of being treated like second-class citizens, said Thomas Hill, state party chairman.
Hill said North Carolina has one of the most restrictive ballot access laws in the country and said even Iraq has more parties on the ballot.
Thats just vulgar, he added.
The state board decertified the Libertarian Party on Monday because the party failed to secure at least 75,000 signatures on a petition needed to remain on the ballot. The state reported that the Libertarians had secured only about 25,000 signatures.
IN MOORE Moore County Elections Director Glenda Clendenin is waiting for instructions from the state board before proceeding with local action.
At latest count, there were 103 Libertarians registered in Moore County. The county has 24,246 Republicans, 17,306 Democrats and 11,204 unaffiliated registrants.
Clendenin expects that the state will require county boards to notify local Libertarians by mail that the party has been decertified and that they have the choice of registering as Republicans, Democrats or unaffiliated.
Statewide, there are about 13,000 registered Libertarians.
However, relief was on the horizon Wednesday, when the state House of Representatives passed legislation that would make it somewhat easier to secure ballot access.
Known as the Electoral Fairness Act, the bill would reduce the number of signatures needed to retain a place on the ballot from 2 percent to 0.5 percent of the total votes in the gubernatorial and presidential races. Rep. Paul Miller, a Durham Democrat, introduced the bill, which must be approved by the Senate.
Right.
Shouldn't they actually be third? Or is it fourth?
Dan
The Taxpayers Party, the Constitution Party, the Libs, and several others could join forces, agree to disagree on stuff like drugs and porn, and make actual inroads against the major parties.
I see no problems with "coalition" governments. I vote with the GOP when that serves my principles, but will abandon them when it stops serving my principles. (That day is approaching FAST!)
The legislature doesn't have to allow ballot access to every fly-by-night group that comes along. If they can't come up with the signatures, then it verifies they are insignificant.
That's why there are write-ins.
By definition, I guess most Libertarian parties aren't what I'd call "regimented". But, I tried to call them up in '04 and not only were they worthless, but their website was "under construction" every time I looked. In an election year!
I'm guessing competence had something to do with this.
Get the signatures and there's no problem. 75,000 in a state of 8 million. Come on people.
Do Libertarians believe in a God? I know some of them believe in Pat Buchanan.
Actually they should be first.... but most of them were too stoned to go sign the petitions.
Party of "limited government", my ass. Party of More Big Government.
Of the two viable actual participants, the GOP is clearly the better choice.
I outgrew the need to make hollow, self-referential gestures a good while ago.
Dan
I'm not seeing what Biblical doctrine calls on me to favor false prominence for the fringe party for drugs and hookers. You'll have to elucidate.
Dan
I don't settle for the lesser of two evils - that's evil, because the "lesser" has exploded spending, deficits and government.
Apparently, that's what you want though.
News flash: EVERY party composed of sons of Adam is the greater or lesser of MULTIPLE evils.
You've chosen a self-serving gesture. It's about you.
There are only two parties that matter. I've chosen the better of the two viable contenders. It's about America.
Dan
Just what America needs /sarcasm
And they wonder why the other independents laugh at them.
WE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ON THE BALLOT!!!!!
OUR 1% SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WRITE OUR NAMES IN (if they can remember them, and are not too high, fried or stoned)
Pathetic losertarians.
13,000 is a lot of people. NC laws sound shady to me.
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