| Libertarian Party of NY -- Press Release -- Libertarians Challenge Election Law in Eric Sundwall's 20th Congressional District Race |
Gubernatorial candidate: John Clifton www.electclifton.org
LIBERTARIANS CHALLENGE ELECTION LAW IN ERIC SUNDWALL’S 20TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT RACE
Albany, NY 10/5/06: Libertarian 20th Congressional candidate Eric Sundwall is seeking to overturn in Federal court the NY State Board of Elections disqualification of his petitions for ballot access. Sundwall contends that the "Town or City" requirement on petitions is not necessary and is unconstitutional. Sundwall said, " It confuses voters and volunteers. Third party candidacies are hindered by a lot of factors. There's no compelling reason for the state to require the "Town” on a petition. We're asking the court to rule this burdensome requirement unconstitutional."
NY Libertarian State Chair Richard Cooper added "The Town or City requirement on petitions in addition to a voter's address renders them politically homeless. The Libertarian Party offers a home to the politically homeless disenchanted by the old parties." Cooper notes that the case against Sundwall's petitions was brought by one of the GOP's biggest guns, ex-Judge Thomas Spargo in an effort to eliminate Libertarian competition to GOP Congressman John Sweeney. Spargo got into trouble previously for engaging in political activity as a sitting judge.
County Board of Elections gather and keep voter records. It is believed that 25-40% of voters do not know what is their correct town as opposed to community of residence.
Sundwall said he would continue to campaign if reinstated to the ballot. "We believe we had enough signatures from voters of the district, but for this arcane requirement. While this has cast the campaign in limbo for many weeks, we feel that voters ought to have a chance to vote for an alternative in NY's 20th Congressional district." Sundwall said he would not actively run a write-in campaign, but that there was a small grassroots movement to do just that.
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