Republican Drops Lawsuits to Remove Independent Michael Hansen and Libertarian Ed Martin from Ballot.

LOUISVILLE, K.Y. – Libertarian Party candidate Ed Martin and Independent candidate Michael Hansen filed to run for office in Kentucky’s third congressional district, against incumbent Democratic nominee John Yarmuth and Republican nominee Todd Lally, respectively. Cordell Lawrence, as vice chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party, and David Caldwell filed a lawsuit, August 20, 2010 to remove Martin and Hansen from the ballot.

Caldwell removed himself as a plaintiff, August 25, one day before CBS affiliate WLKY in Louisville reported news of Caldwell’s recent arrest. Lawrence dropped the lawsuits against Martin and Hansen, August 27, insuring that both candidates will be on the November ballot. The defendant’s court hearings were scheduled for Monday, August 30, but have been canceled in light of these events.

Immediately after being notified about the lawsuits, a public campaign from several fronts pushed this issue into the media. Libertarian candidate Martin issued a statement as did the Libertarian Party of Kentucky. Martin’s campaign then asked Lally’s campaign to publicly call for his Republican associates to drop the lawsuit. The Free and Equal Elections Foundation added to the efforts with a media release and brought this to the attention of ballot access activists nationwide.

Journalist Sheldon S. Shafer for the courier-journal in Louisville reported on the lawsuit along with WHAS-ABC Channel 11. Louisville’s NPR news station, WFLP 89.3, ran a story and Louisville News and Politics, the Kentucky Freedom Digest, and Page One Kentucky continued their coverage.

The Libertarian Party of Kentucky has used these events as a call to action to get involved and help protect democracy in their state. This statement is from their website: “One supporter who had remained Republican to date tonight committed on Facebook to switch his registration to Libertarian to show his disgust. He’ll be following this action by sending a photocopied version of his voter card (with SSN redacted) to his local GOP chair, the Jefferson County (Louisville) GOP chair, and the GOP state chairman, along with a letter explaining his disgust with these dirty political antics as the reason for his switch.”

“This is the type of quick action and media attention that should be given to an issue as important as democratic elections,” said Christina Tobin, Chair and founder of Free and Equal Elections Foundation. “Republicans are running scared in this election cycle as evidenced by their attacks on equal access to the ballots by alternative candidates here in Kentucky, and in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Democrats use the same tactics as well. Free and Equal’s radio show is one avenue we are using to stop this bad political behavior, and we are glad to have Independent candidate Michael Hansen join us this week.”

In addition to Hansen, Ken Moellman, Libertarian Party of Kentucky Chair, will be a guest on the next Free and Equal radio show on Tuesday, August 31 from 10-11pm ET to talk about the lawsuit situation and Kentucky elections. Christi Gillespie, State Coordinator of Free & Equal Kentucky will join the show as well to talk about upcoming events. Ed Martin has also been invited to join us on the show, should his busy campaign schedules permit it. The Free and Equal radio show can be listened to live at BlogTalkRadio or at the Free and Equal website where it is also available for later enjoyment.

“The voters deserve to have as many choices as we can get on Election Day,” said Christi Gillespie. “It’s funny how the Republicans are all in favor of free market solutions until you start talking about the ballot box. I encourage voters to analyze all candidates including write-ins, regardless of their party affiliation, and vote for the one that truly reflects your values and beliefs. It is time we began voting for the best candidate, and not just voting for the lesser of two evils.”

Gillespie is helping to organize the Free and Equal Candidate Forum Saturday, September 25th from 2 – 6 p.m. at the Kentucky State Capitol steps. All candidates are invited to share their message with voters at this event. More details will be released about this all-inclusive event as it develops.

“I’m glad Martin and Hansen are now assured of their rightful place on the ballot,” Tobin said. “These tactics are not only designed to remove legitimate competition from the ballots, they are also designed to drain the resources of their competition, create uncertainty and confusion in the voting public as to who will be on the ballot, and distract both their competitors’ campaigns and the media from the important issues confronting the electorate. When people like Lawrence use these tactics it should be exposed and remembered.”

“Free and Equal is here to make sure more voters are educated about their election system and who is trying to game it for their own advantage,” Tobin said. “Another typical practice that only serves to hurt the voters is when they keep candidates off the stage of debates, forums and public speaking engagements. Recent rallies in Kentucky have been manipulated to exclude candidates in an attempt to keep their messages from being heard by voters. With our first Free and Equal Candidate Forum in Kentucky coming up in September we intend to start restoring the principles of fair elections that every voter deserves.”

Kentucky Republicans Afraid of Democracy

Louisville, KY -  Kentucky Republicans are attempting to remove two candidates from the November ballot for the 3rd Congressional District with a lawsuit filed on August 20, 2010. Ed Martin, candidate for the Libertarian Party, and Michael D. Hansen, independent candidate, were notified of the lawsuit this week. Hansen filed his required paperwork and petition [...]

Free and Equal Radio Show – 8/31/2010

Free & Equal Radio Tuesday Night 10pm to 11pm Eastern Time. (7-8pm PT) Kentucky Republicans are attempting to remove two candidates from the November ballot for the 3rd Congressional District with a lawsuit filed on August 20, 2010. Ed Martin, candidate for the Libertarian Party, and Michael D. Hansen, independent candidate, were notified of the [...]

Richard Winger and Christina Tobin to Host Sacramento Press Conference on Election Reforms

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Richard Winger, plaintiff in the lawsuit against Senate Bill 6, and Christina Tobin, CEO and founder of Free and Equal Elections Foundation and StopTopTwo.org creator, will give a press conference on the south steps of the California State Capitol, Tuesday, August 17, 10:30 a.m. Richard Winger is publisher and editor of Ballot [...]

Free and Equal Radio Show – 8/17/2010

Free & Equal Radio Tuesday Night 9pm to 11pm Central Time. (7-9pm PT) Radio Show Canceled for Tonight, August 17, 2010 We’ll return at the same time and same place next week.

More Articles

Free and Equal Radio Show – 8/3/2010

Free & Equal Radio – 7/27/10

Free & Equal Radio – 7/20/10 Guests Mary Norwood, Oliver Hall and Carl Romanelli

Free & Equal on Blog Talk Radio – 7/13/10 Mary Norwood files in Georgia, more from Illinois.