KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com | Green, Libertarian parties challenge elections law

Green, Libertarian parties challenge elections law

Associated Press - May 28, 2009 1:55 PM ET

SANTA FE (AP) - The New Mexico Green and Libertarian parties and a Green Party congressional candidate have filed a lawsuit contending the state improperly restricts ballot access for minor parties.

Alan Woodruff, a retired lawyer who plans to run as the Green Party candidate in the 1st Congressional District, brought the lawsuit this month in federal court in Albuquerque.

He says state election provisions are unfairly tilted in favor of the Democratic and Republican parties.

The state no longer recognizes the Green and Libertarian parties as qualified political parties because none of their candidates received enough votes in recent elections. The parties must submit signature petitions to requalify, which is part of a process needed for their candidates to get on the ballot. The lawsuit challenges those provisions.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.