Home : Voting Rights : Ballot Access/Motor Voter Law

ACLU Challenges South Carolina's Unconstitutional Ballot Access Law In Federal Court (08/07/2008)
COLUMBIA, SC – In the first case of its kind, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in federal court today challenging the South Carolina election rules that prevent a candidate seeking the nomination of more than one political party from appearing on the general election ballot if that candidate wins one party's nomination but loses another's. South Carolina is one of only four states that permits fusion voting, which allows multiple political parties to nominate the same candidate, but also has a so-called "sore loser" statute disqualifying candidates who have been selected by one party but rejected by another. The ACLU brought this legal challenge on behalf of the state Green Party, a disqualified candidate for the state House of Representatives and a South Carolina voter.

ACLU of Massachusetts Files Suit Seeking Ballot Place for Third Party Candidates (08/06/2008)
BOSTON – In a lawsuit aimed at ensuring the franchise for Massachusetts voters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts has filed suit seeking ballot access on behalf of Bob Barr and Wayne A. Root, the candidates of the national Libertarian Party for President and Vice President of the United States. Despite earlier indicating that it would do so, the Massachusetts Elections Division has refused to place the names of the Libertarian Party's nominees on the ballot.

ACLU Challenges Montana's Flawed System For Third Party Ballot Access (04/09/2008)
HELENA, MT - The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Montana filed a lawsuit in federal court late yesterday challenging Montana's scheme for getting independent and minor-party candidates on the ballot. In the lawsuit, the ACLU charges that the state's burdensome system for non-major party candidates seeking to run for office is unconstitutional and asks the court to prohibit state officials from enforcing it in this year's elections.

ACLU of Ohio and Voting Rights Groups Challenge Voter Intimidation Provision (08/29/2006)
CLEVELAND, OH -- Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio along with the Brennan Center, Lawyers’ Committee and the ACLU Voting Rights Project filed a lawsuit challenging a voter intimidation provision in Ohio law that unfairly burdens naturalized U.S. citizens.

ACLU of Arkansas and State Green Party Win in Third Party Ballot Access Case (08/23/2006)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- A federal judge in Little Rock today agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union that Arkansas’ rule for getting third party candidates on the ballot is unconstitutional.

Letter to Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer (03/10/2006)
Letter to Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer

Your Rights as an Arizona Voter Flier (03/10/2006)
Your Rights as an Arizona Voter Flier

Sus Derechos Como Elector en Arizona (03/10/2006)
Sus Derechos Como Elector en Arizona

South Carolina Green Party et al. v. South Carolina State Election Commission et al. - Motion For A Preliminary Injunction (08/07/2008)

South Carolina Green Party et al. v. South Carolina State Election Commission et al. - Complaint (08/07/2008)

South Carolina Green Party et al. v. South Carolina State Election Commission et al. - Brief In Support Of Motion For A Preliminary Injunction (08/07/2008)

Kelly v. Johnson - Complaint (04/08/2008)

Green Party v. Arkansas Secretary of State Opinion and Order (08/23/2006)
Green Party v. Arkansas Secretary of State Opinion and Order

Democracy Held Hostage (12/31/2000)
How Marijuana Made Bob Barr So Paranoid He Canceled an Election.

South Carolina Green Party et al. v. South Carolina State Election Commission et al. (08/07/2008)
In the first case of its kind, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the South Carolina election rules that prevent a candidate seeking the nomination of more than one political party from appearing on the general election ballot if that candidate wins one party's nomination but loses another's. South Carolina is one of only four states that permits fusion voting, which allows multiple political parties to nominate the same candidate, but also has a so-called "sore loser" statute disqualifying candidates who have been selected by one party but rejected by another. The ACLU is representing the state Green Party, a disqualified candidate for the state House of Representatives and a South Carolina voter.

ACLU Challenges South Carolina's Unconstitutional Ballot Access Law In Federal Court (08/07/2008)
COLUMBIA, SC – In the first case of its kind, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in federal court today challenging the South Carolina election rules that prevent a candidate seeking the nomination of more than one political party from appearing on the general election ballot if that candidate wins one party's nomination but loses another's. South Carolina is one of only four states that permits fusion voting, which allows multiple political parties to nominate the same candidate, but also has a so-called "sore loser" statute disqualifying candidates who have been selected by one party but rejected by another. The ACLU brought this legal challenge on behalf of the state Green Party, a disqualified candidate for the state House of Representatives and a South Carolina voter.

ACLU of Massachusetts Files Suit Seeking Ballot Place for Third Party Candidates (08/06/2008)
BOSTON – In a lawsuit aimed at ensuring the franchise for Massachusetts voters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts has filed suit seeking ballot access on behalf of Bob Barr and Wayne A. Root, the candidates of the national Libertarian Party for President and Vice President of the United States. Despite earlier indicating that it would do so, the Massachusetts Elections Division has refused to place the names of the Libertarian Party's nominees on the ballot.

ACLU Challenges Montana's Flawed System For Third Party Ballot Access (04/09/2008)
HELENA, MT - The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Montana filed a lawsuit in federal court late yesterday challenging Montana's scheme for getting independent and minor-party candidates on the ballot. In the lawsuit, the ACLU charges that the state's burdensome system for non-major party candidates seeking to run for office is unconstitutional and asks the court to prohibit state officials from enforcing it in this year's elections.

ACLU of Ohio and Voting Rights Groups Challenge Voter Intimidation Provision (08/29/2006)
CLEVELAND, OH -- Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio along with the Brennan Center, Lawyers’ Committee and the ACLU Voting Rights Project filed a lawsuit challenging a voter intimidation provision in Ohio law that unfairly burdens naturalized U.S. citizens.

ACLU of Arkansas and State Green Party Win in Third Party Ballot Access Case (08/23/2006)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- A federal judge in Little Rock today agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union that Arkansas’ rule for getting third party candidates on the ballot is unconstitutional.