Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTexas Republicans file lawsuit to sweep 23 Libertarians off 2022 ballot as polls forecast tight race
The Texas GOP is worried. Normally third parties hurt the Democratic Party but this cycle the GOP want to know the Libertarians off the ballot
Link to tweet
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Texas-Republicans-file-lawsuit-to-sweep-23-17381988.php?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow
Nearly two dozen Republican candidates and officials are seeking to boot their Libertarian opponents from the November ballot, arguing in a petition before the Texas Supreme Court that the third-party candidates are disqualified because they failed to pay their filing fees or gather required petition signatures.
Among the Republicans signing onto the lawsuit, filed earlier this month, are Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and congressional candidate Monica de la Cruz, who is running for a key battleground seat that runs from McAllen to the San Antonio area.
Their petition takes aim at 23 Libertarians who, they say, ran afoul of a 2019 state law that requires third-party candidates to pay the same filing fee as Republicans and Democrats or, as an alternative, collect the same number of petition signatures to secure a spot on the ballot. The lawsuit comes ahead of the Aug. 26 deadline to remove a candidate from this years midterm ballot a deadline Republicans missed in 2020 when they unsuccessfully sought to knock off 44 Libertarian candidates.
The courts decision could have major implications if any of the 23 races this year are decided by a narrow margin. Libertarians are thought to pose a threat to Republican candidates in tight races, possibly siphoning off just enough votes to sway a close outcome.
As Texas has grown increasingly competitive in recent cycles, both parties have ramped up efforts to purge third-party candidates from the ballot, with Democrats aiming to declare Green Party candidates ineligible. Polling this summer has suggested the margins could be tight in top-of-ballot statewide races in 2022, including those for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Among the Republicans signing onto the lawsuit, filed earlier this month, are Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and congressional candidate Monica de la Cruz, who is running for a key battleground seat that runs from McAllen to the San Antonio area.
Their petition takes aim at 23 Libertarians who, they say, ran afoul of a 2019 state law that requires third-party candidates to pay the same filing fee as Republicans and Democrats or, as an alternative, collect the same number of petition signatures to secure a spot on the ballot. The lawsuit comes ahead of the Aug. 26 deadline to remove a candidate from this years midterm ballot a deadline Republicans missed in 2020 when they unsuccessfully sought to knock off 44 Libertarian candidates.
The courts decision could have major implications if any of the 23 races this year are decided by a narrow margin. Libertarians are thought to pose a threat to Republican candidates in tight races, possibly siphoning off just enough votes to sway a close outcome.
As Texas has grown increasingly competitive in recent cycles, both parties have ramped up efforts to purge third-party candidates from the ballot, with Democrats aiming to declare Green Party candidates ineligible. Polling this summer has suggested the margins could be tight in top-of-ballot statewide races in 2022, including those for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
2 replies, 722 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (8)
ReplyReply to this post
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Texas Republicans file lawsuit to sweep 23 Libertarians off 2022 ballot as polls forecast tight race (Original Post)
LetMyPeopleVote
Aug 2022
OP
JustAnotherGen
(31,828 posts)1. How do I help these
Libertarians. I'll do anything for a win.
GreenWave
(6,759 posts)2. Libertarians are just Republicans who pretend to care about things
But in the end their names are Rand Paul.