The State Supreme Court in Iowa decided on Wednesday that three Libertarian candidates running for Congress in the state will not appear on the ballot in the upcoming November election. This ruling, which came after challenges were filed by Iowa Republicans, could potentially benefit the Republican Party in two closely contested districts.
The Republican challenges were based on allegations that the Libertarian Party of Iowa did not adhere to state laws regarding the nomination procedures for their candidates. A panel of state elected officials, consisting of two Republicans and one Democrat, ruled 2-1 in favor of the challengers.
Following a court challenge, a Polk County judge upheld the decision made by the state objection panel, leading the Libertarian candidates to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ultimately affirmed the lower court’s decision, finalizing the exclusion of the Libertarian candidates from the ballot.
The exclusion of these third-party candidates has raised concerns among both Democratic and Republican leaders about how their absence from the race could impact the final outcome. Political analysts suggest that third-party candidates tend to draw more support from Republicans than Democrats.
In one of Iowa’s congressional races in 2022, the margin of victory was very slim, with Republican Zach Nunn prevailing by less than a percentage point against incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne. Despite the close margins, there was no third-party candidate in that race.
The legal dispute centered around the timing of the selection of delegates at the county conventions of the Libertarian Party, with the challengers arguing that the party did not follow the proper procedures. The decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the exclusion cited the importance of following election laws to maintain integrity and transparency in the electoral process.
As a result of the ruling, Libertarian nominees Nicholas Gluba, Marco Battaglia, and Charles Aldrich will not be listed on the general election ballots. Battaglia expressed disappointment with the challenges but stated his intention to continue with a write-in campaign to stay in the race.
The controversy surrounding the exclusion of the Libertarian candidates highlights the intricacies of election law and the significance of adherence to regulations in the electoral process.
