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The Supreme Court has upheld a decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that overturned an Arizona law regulating how independent candidates can get on Arizona ballots.
Presidential hopeful Ralph Nader sued the state after Arizona ballot laws caused him to withdraw his candidacy in the state back in 2004. The laws forbade out-of-state signature collections, and required independent candidates to submit their signatures by June (major party candidates didn’t have to submit until the fall). Nader argued that the laws inhibited free speech rights, and the courts agreed.
Arizona asked the Supreme Court to hear its appeal on the case (Brewer Vs. Nader 08-648), saying the laws were meant to ensure they can find petition collectors in the event of a challenge, and that the early submission deadline was needed for early voting. But today, the Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal.
Thirteen other states, including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, and Ohio, wanted the high court to reverse the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have residency requirements laws in place similar to those just overturned in Arizona.
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