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Libertarians Take Challenge Of Ohio Ballot Access Law To SUPCUS

Ohio's Libertarian Party is taking its challenge of the state's ballot access law to the U.S. Supreme Court. Jim Letizia reports.

The party has filed an appeal of a ruling by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati last month rejecting the challenge. The party sued Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted, alleging a member of his staff and others were part of a scheme to selectively enforce the state's election law in violation of the Libertarians' constitutional rights. The party also claimed Ohio's rules for minor political parties violate its equal protection rights by denying Libertarians the chance to participate in a primary election. The three-judge appeals court panel affirmed a lower court's ruling, saying the party was not severely burdened by the 2013 law's requirements. A Franklin County Judge earlier this year said the law is constitutional. In a written statement, the chair of the party says a favorable ruling by the high court would allow Ohioans the option of voting for its presidential ticket and other Libertarian candidates. A Husted spokesperson calls the lawsuit "frivolous."

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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