In Iowa, three Libertarian candidates running for U.S. House seats have been barred from appearing on the ballot in November. This decision follows a judge’s ruling on Saturday, which upheld a state election panel’s earlier decision. The State Objection Panel, comprising one Democratic and two Republican officials, had voted 2-1 to remove the Libertarian candidates due to a technicality. Republicans argued that the Libertarian Party had not followed state law in nominating the candidates during a party convention held on the same day as precinct caucuses, which was against the law’s guidelines.
Conservative attorney Alan Ostergren contended that since the candidates weren’t nominated at valid county conventions, as mandated by the law, they should be disqualified. District Judge Michael Huppert agreed with this argument, emphasizing the mandatory nature of the law and the need for strict compliance. The two Republican members on the panel supported the decision, citing the obligation of parties to adhere to candidate nomination rules, while the lone dissent came from a Democrat, State Auditor Rob Sand, who criticized the decision as politically motivated.
Despite the slim chances of independent or third-party candidates winning, their presence on the ballot can impact the outcome of the election. Professor Stephen Medvic noted the concern among Democratic and Republican leaders about minor parties potentially taking votes away from them. Challenges to third-party candidates are common, particularly in swing states where even a small fraction of votes could be crucial. Recent history in Iowa, where a congressional race was decided by a narrow margin in 2022, highlights the potential significance of third-party candidates.
The Libertarian Party of Iowa gained major party status in 2022, but their candidates are currently facing exclusion from the ballot due to technicalities. The state’s attorney argued that the regulations for major parties are fair and aimed at maintaining election integrity. Libertarian Party of Iowa’s chair, Jules Cutler, criticized the decision as “bullying” to keep a smaller party off the ballot, acknowledging the party’s errors but arguing against invalidating the nominations.
As a result of the judge’s ruling, the names of Libertarian nominees for the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Congressional Districts will not be on the ballot, at least for now. The delay in certifying the ballots, ordered by the judge, allows for a potential appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court, further prolonging the certification and printing process.
