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Title: Libertarian Candidate Files Suit Against Board of Elections
Source:
http://www.freeandequal.org/
URL Source: http://www.freeandequal.org/2009/09 ... it-against-board-of-elections/
Published: Sep 21, 2009
Author: c.thrasher
Post Date: 2009-09-21 11:29:39 by freepatriot32
Ping List: *libertarians* Subscribe to *libertarians*
Keywords: Libertarian Candidate, Files Suit, Board of Elections, Libertarians
Views: 98
Comments: 2
Asks to be Reinstated to Ballot; Judges Refuse to Hear Case September 15th, 2009- Steve Kosin, a Libertarian candidate for Sheriff in Suffolk County, New York has filed suit against the Board of Elections, asking the courts to reinstate his name to the November ballot. The Board of Elections in Suffolk County had previously ruled that the Libertarian Party candidates for three county offices would not be on the ballot. The Board of Elections, which is dominated by partisan Democrats and Republicans, ruled in favor of an individual challenger who sought to invalidate the candidate’s petitions. Motions will be entertained in the courtroom of Judge Emily Pines in Suffolk Supreme Court on September 21st. Judge Pines is the sixth judge to be asked to take the case. Four judges asked to be recused, and a fifth recused himself at the request of the petition challenger. The Free & Equal Elections Foundation cannot help but wonder if the partisan status of elected New York judges influenced the decision of these judges not to take the case. With Judge Pines presiding over an ongoing trial, the hearing will not take place until October 7th at the earlier. This means that the candidates will not know if they are on the ballot until at least three weeks before the election. In addition, no matter the court’s ruling, the candidates will not appear on Absentee Ballots. “Free & Equal stands with the Suffolk County candidates against the corruption of the two-party duopoly in New York,” said Free & Equal Founder Christina Tobin. “We sincerely hope the courts will reverse the decision made by the Board of Elections, and ensure that the voters in Suffolk County have a choice on their ballots.” New York state petition law places tremendous burdens on Independent and Third Party candidates. The stringent requirements for nominating petitions stifle competition, and encourage bureaucratic interference. In the past, candidates have even been kicked off the ballot for little more than clerical errors. Any individual voter can challenge the validity of a nominating petition in New York state. In Suffolk County on Long Island, the challenges came from Democratic Party operative and state committee member Rosemary Marchlowska. The Board of Elections of Suffolk County also chose to operate in near total secrecy. The BOE refused to answer candidates’ questions, and only provided the information they were legally required to after a Freedom of Information Act request was filed. If the courts refuse to intervene, the actions taken by the Board of Elections means that voters will only see one candidate on the ballot in the races for District Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer. The local Democrat and Republican parties have cross-endorsed one candidate for each race. The Free & Equal Elections Foundation remains committed to eliminating the onerous and archaic petitioning requirements that limit the choices of the voters of New York state. The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is a non partisan, non-profit 501 (c)4 public policy advocacy organization dedicated to eliminating restrictive ballot access laws that target Independent and Third-Party Candidates. Free & Equal will challenge these laws, through lobbying of state legislators, court challenges, and initiatives. Free & Equal does not endorse any candidates for office.
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#1. To: All, *Jack-Booted Thugs*, *Humor-Weird News* (#0)
ping
If one doesn't fit neatly into some government category, they're different and must be fixed.-jethro tull
Someone running for office should file an "anti-Trust" suit against the Republicrats.
"An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you know and what you don't. ~ Anatole France
#2. To: freepatriot32 (#0)
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