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IA: Judge rules to allow Libertarian on November ballot

By   /   September 4, 2012  /   1 Comment

Part 7 of 18 in the series Vote 2012

By Sheena Dooley | Iowa Watchdog

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson scored another victory in the Hawkeye State Tuesday when a Polk County judge ruled his name should be on the November ballot.

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson

Attorneys for Gloria Mazza and Dean Montgomery filed the case against Johnson Thursday in Polk County District Court. They asked the court to review an earlier decision made by a panel of three state officials to allow him on the ballot.

Judge Arthur Gamble ruled Tuesday the Libertarian followed proper procedures to get on the ballot. The decision expects to be appealed, although time is running out with ballots being printed later this week.

Democrat Attorney General Tom Miller, Republican Secretary of State Matt Schultz and Warren Jenkins, chief deputy auditor for Republican State Auditor David Vaudt, unanimously decided last week that Johnson’s name be included on the ballot.

Johnson’s candidacy could detract voters from Republican candidate Mitt Romney and Democrat President Obama, opponents say.

Mazza and Montgomery contend the Libertarians never held a caucus or convention to nominate Johnson, which is required under Iowa law. Libertarians say they caucused at the Iowa State Fair, where nearly 450 people from at least 25 counties signed the attendance list.

State officials on the panel sided with the Libertarian party, saying Iowa law was vague in its definition of what constitutes a caucus. State leaders have historically handled similar cases by making decisions that benefit voters, the three said in their ruling.

Part of 18 in the series Vote 2012
  1. IA: Romney raises $1.8M at West Des Moines fundraiser
  2. KS: Conservative GOP sweep will have far-reaching effect, Kansans say
  3. IA: Top election official continues voter fraud hunt despite lack of evidence
  4. WI: Ryan as VP improves Romney’s chances in Wisconsin, new poll shows
  5. WI: Paul Ryan struggling to escape the Akin fallout
  6. WI: Republican representatives make case for a Romney win in Wisconsin
  7. IA: Judge rules to allow Libertarian on November ballot
  8. WI: GAB launches Basics program to address election-law confusion
  9. IA: Secretary of state faces scrutiny from lawmakers and public
  10. WI: Ryan draws weapons in Brown County battleground
  11. IA: Judge’s ruling could prevent purging of noncitizens from voter rolls
  12. WI: Women matter, say the parties as they work to close gender gap
  13. WI: Polls show Obama, Baldwin on the rise in Wisconsin
  14. WI: Early voting becoming trend, but does it affect outcome?
  15. WI: Marquette poll not bowing to political pressure, director says
  16. VA: Voters don’t really like career politician Cantor, but he’ll win anyway
  17. NE: Will Nebraskans improve on lackluster 2010 election turnout?
  18. VA: Romney won battle in debate, but will he win war?

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Sheena Dooley

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Micelli/1313079304 Michael Micelli

    Romney may be a spoiler this election and cost Gary Johnson the presidency. A vote for Romney is a vote for Obama.