Iowa Judge Bars Libertarian Candidates from Appearing on Congress Ballot

In a recent ruling, a judge has upheld a decision that will prevent three Libertarian candidates from appearing on the ballot for the upcoming U.S. House elections in Iowa. The ruling was delivered on Saturday and comes after an appeal made by the candidates challenging the State Objection Panel’s earlier decision.

The panel, which is composed of two Republican officials and one Democratic official, ruled 2-1 in favor of removing the Libertarians from the ballot due to a procedural violation. The dispute arose from the timing of the Libertarian Party’s candidate nominations, which occurred at a convention held on the same day as the precinct caucuses where the candidates were slated to be chosen.

According to state law, the term for convention delegates does not begin until the day after the caucuses have taken place. This interpretation, argued by conservative attorney Alan Ostergren, implies that the Libertarian candidates were not legitimately nominated during their county conventions.

Judge Michael Huppert of the Polk County District concurred with the panel’s findings. He dismissed the candidates’ arguments that the state panel overstepped its authority in making such a ruling. The judge emphasized that the law surrounding the nomination process is “mandatory in nature and requires strict compliance.”

In his comments, Huppert noted, “The panel concluded correctly by requiring this level of compliance,” reinforcing the notion that adherence to regulations is essential in the nomination process.

The panel, consisting of Attorney General Brenna Bird and Secretary of State Paul Pate, both Republicans, aligned with the objections raised by the Republican Party. They maintained that it is crucial for all parties to adhere to the nomination rules established by the state. The dissenting opinion came from State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democratic member, who argued that there was a political bias in the decision-making process.

This situation sheds light on a broader concern for both major political parties in the state. Though independent and third-party candidates have historically struggled to secure victories in elections, their presence can significantly alter the dynamics of races, a development that raises anxiety among Democratic and Republican leaders. Stephen Medvic, a government professor at Franklin & Marshall College, highlighted that minor parties like the Libertarians tend to draw more votes from Republicans, thereby complicating the electoral landscape.

As challenges to third-party candidates are not uncommon, especially during presidential elections, these hurdles can prove crucial in close races—particularly in swing states. In the context of Iowa’s recent congressional elections, one race was determined by a margin of less than one percentage point, further underscoring the potential impact of third-party voters.

The Libertarian Party of Iowa achieved major party status in the previous election cycle, which was marked by their gubernatorial nominee receiving over 2% of the votes. As such, this recent ruling appears to be a significant setback for the party as it aims to establish a stronger foothold in Iowa politics.

During a recent hearing, the state’s attorney defended the regulations imposed on major parties as fair and necessary, aimed at promoting a transparent and organized nomination process. They argued that maintaining election integrity should take precedence, thus justifying the ruling to keep the Libertarian candidates off the ballot.

Conversely, Jules Cutler, the chair of the Libertarian Party of Iowa, criticized the ruling as an act of intimidation against their party, asserting that it blocks their participation in the electoral process. Despite acknowledging the technical errors made during the nomination process as “embarrassing,” Cutler contended that these blunders should not nullify valid candidate nominations.

As a result of the ruling, the Libertarian nominees—Nicholas Gluba in the 1st District, Marco Battaglia in the 3rd District, and Charles Aldrich in the 4th District—will not be included on the ballot, at least for the time being. Although the certification of ballots was scheduled to occur by September 3, the judge has ordered a hold on this process pending further court hearings, leaving open the possibility for an appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court and further delays in the Electoral process.