Iowa’s Supreme Court ruled this week with the rule of law, the integrity of elections and perhaps the survival of democracy itself hanging in the balance.
OK, not exactly.
The court upheld rulings by the State Objections Panel and a District Court judge that the Libertarian Party failed to follow the letter of the law when it nominated candidates for Congress. So, they won’t appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.
The primary offense was a decision by Libertarians to hold caucuses and county conventions on the same night. According to Iowa law, the term of county convention delegates doesn’t start until the day after they’re chosen.
Republicans living in those districts objected. And two GOP members of the Objections Panel, Secretary of State Paul Pate and Attorney General Brenna Bird voted to remove the candidates from the ballot. State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, voted against removal.
The court’s ruling is bad news for Libertarian congressional candidates Nicholas Gluba in Eastern Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, Marco Battaglia in Central Iowa’s 3rd District and Charles Aldrich in Western Iowa’s 4th District.
If you’re still determined to vote for these guys, learn how to spell their names. Each has said they will mount a write-in campaign.
ADVERTISING
Yes, the Libertarians didn’t follow the law. That’s on them.
But this wasn’t really about the law. It was about how fearful Republicans are that third-party candidates could draw enough votes to hurt Republicans in potentially tight congressional races in the 1st and 3rd Districts. They believe it’s happened before when Democratic victory margins were exceeded by total Libertarian votes.
Democrats also have seen candidates bitten by third party votes.
So, once again, third-party candidates find themselves as merely pawns in a political battle being waged by the two major parties. The whole saga smells, and it’s not the sweet scent of democracy.
A Gallup Poll taken last year showed 63% of respondents believe the U.S. needs a major third party. So, there is a desire for more choices. And yet, nothing really changes in the voting booth.
Growing a grassroots political party would take a herculean effort and lots of cash. In the past, third way movements have been headed by very rich people. But a party based on the fortunes of a rich guy tend to fade after they suffer defeat and fade from view.
Another big problem is that our major party duopoly sets the rules of the game. And in many cases those rules are designed to discourage third parties.
In 2019, the Republican-controlled Legislature pushed to pass legislation requiring third parties to turn in signatures needed to get on the ballot in March, the same day as Republicans and Democrats. The previous deadline was late summer, so the change put up a new barrier for third parties.
But, in April 2022, a federal judge ruled the new deadline unconstitutional, writing that the change “imposes a substantial burden” on the Libertarian Party.
In 2021, the Republican Legislature approved a sweeping elections bill restricting early voting, among other misguided provisions. Getting far less attention was a section of the bill significantly raising the number of signature need make the ballot. It also put in revised requirements for how many counties signatures must come from.
For example, a congressional hopeful now needs more than 1,700 signatures, up from 375. And candidates will need at least 47 signatures from half the counties in the district.
Highly organized Democrats and Republicans don’t have a problem. But third parties could be hampered by the new signature requirements.
Third parties face media indifference. To be fair, reporters who have plenty to do tracking candidates who are competitive often don’t want to spend their time writing about long shots. Lack of money curbs advertising.
Less attention is a factor in low polling numbers, which are a factor in keeping third parties out of debates and forums.
I’ve never voted for a Libertarian. I don’t back most of their policy position, although their anti-nanny state stands on some issues are attractive. But, clearly, this election would be a poor time to start, what with democracy actually hanging in the balance.
I’m pro-fairness and anti-shenanigans. If Republicans are worried about Libertarian insurgents, they should find good candidates who can persuade those voters to back the GOP. They don’t trust voters, so they game the system instead.
Politics are not fair. Politicians thwarting third parties will not be punished.
Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature, the governor’s office, every statewide office except state auditor, all four seats in Congress and much of the judiciary. But, apparently, it’s not enough.
So, they’re targeting Libertarians. Go home, you’re drunk — with power.
www.thegazette.com
OK, not exactly.
The court upheld rulings by the State Objections Panel and a District Court judge that the Libertarian Party failed to follow the letter of the law when it nominated candidates for Congress. So, they won’t appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.
The primary offense was a decision by Libertarians to hold caucuses and county conventions on the same night. According to Iowa law, the term of county convention delegates doesn’t start until the day after they’re chosen.
Republicans living in those districts objected. And two GOP members of the Objections Panel, Secretary of State Paul Pate and Attorney General Brenna Bird voted to remove the candidates from the ballot. State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, voted against removal.
The court’s ruling is bad news for Libertarian congressional candidates Nicholas Gluba in Eastern Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, Marco Battaglia in Central Iowa’s 3rd District and Charles Aldrich in Western Iowa’s 4th District.
If you’re still determined to vote for these guys, learn how to spell their names. Each has said they will mount a write-in campaign.
ADVERTISING
Yes, the Libertarians didn’t follow the law. That’s on them.
But this wasn’t really about the law. It was about how fearful Republicans are that third-party candidates could draw enough votes to hurt Republicans in potentially tight congressional races in the 1st and 3rd Districts. They believe it’s happened before when Democratic victory margins were exceeded by total Libertarian votes.
Democrats also have seen candidates bitten by third party votes.
So, once again, third-party candidates find themselves as merely pawns in a political battle being waged by the two major parties. The whole saga smells, and it’s not the sweet scent of democracy.
A Gallup Poll taken last year showed 63% of respondents believe the U.S. needs a major third party. So, there is a desire for more choices. And yet, nothing really changes in the voting booth.
Growing a grassroots political party would take a herculean effort and lots of cash. In the past, third way movements have been headed by very rich people. But a party based on the fortunes of a rich guy tend to fade after they suffer defeat and fade from view.
Another big problem is that our major party duopoly sets the rules of the game. And in many cases those rules are designed to discourage third parties.
In 2019, the Republican-controlled Legislature pushed to pass legislation requiring third parties to turn in signatures needed to get on the ballot in March, the same day as Republicans and Democrats. The previous deadline was late summer, so the change put up a new barrier for third parties.
But, in April 2022, a federal judge ruled the new deadline unconstitutional, writing that the change “imposes a substantial burden” on the Libertarian Party.
In 2021, the Republican Legislature approved a sweeping elections bill restricting early voting, among other misguided provisions. Getting far less attention was a section of the bill significantly raising the number of signature need make the ballot. It also put in revised requirements for how many counties signatures must come from.
For example, a congressional hopeful now needs more than 1,700 signatures, up from 375. And candidates will need at least 47 signatures from half the counties in the district.
Highly organized Democrats and Republicans don’t have a problem. But third parties could be hampered by the new signature requirements.
Third parties face media indifference. To be fair, reporters who have plenty to do tracking candidates who are competitive often don’t want to spend their time writing about long shots. Lack of money curbs advertising.
Less attention is a factor in low polling numbers, which are a factor in keeping third parties out of debates and forums.
I’ve never voted for a Libertarian. I don’t back most of their policy position, although their anti-nanny state stands on some issues are attractive. But, clearly, this election would be a poor time to start, what with democracy actually hanging in the balance.
I’m pro-fairness and anti-shenanigans. If Republicans are worried about Libertarian insurgents, they should find good candidates who can persuade those voters to back the GOP. They don’t trust voters, so they game the system instead.
Politics are not fair. Politicians thwarting third parties will not be punished.
Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature, the governor’s office, every statewide office except state auditor, all four seats in Congress and much of the judiciary. But, apparently, it’s not enough.
So, they’re targeting Libertarians. Go home, you’re drunk — with power.
Opinion: Libertarians are merely pawns in major party battles in Iowa
Libertarians didn’t follow the law, but that’s not what this is about
www.thegazette.com
