The Republicans are at it again. They’re challenging the signatures of Virginia Libertarians, despite the fact that they turned in 16,398 petition signatures, more than 12,249 of which are likely valid based on conservative estimates. Only 10,000 are required to make the ballot.
Republicans are hoping to knock Libertarian presidential candidate Gov. Gary Johnson and his vice presidential running mate Judge Jim Gray off the ballot and deny voters a choice. The challenge is viewed as frivolous.
Bill Redpath, 2008 Libertarian for U.S. Senate in Virginia who oversees national Libertarian Party ballot access said, “The Republican Party is threatening to waste taxpayer dollars by forcing the State Board of Elections into a lawsuit doomed to failure at great cost."
Libertarian State Party Chair Chuck Moulton notes that all of the Electoral Boards in the state, which have already counted and validated every signature, are controlled by Republicans.
In effect, Virginia Republicans are charging themselves with incompetence.
"They’re getting desperate," said Carla Howell, Executive Director of the National Libertarian Party. "Republicans had to resort to dirty tricks to suppress the voice of libertarian Ron Paul and his delegates within their own party. Now they’re trying to quash their Libertarian competition in the General Election. These underhanded tactics are driving more and more fiscal conservatives to the Libertarian Party and to the presidential campaign of Gov. Gary Johnson who promises to balance the federal budget – with no tax increases – in 2013 if elected president."
Libertarians Gov. Gary Johnson and Judge Jim Gray are on track for ballot acces in all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C.
A meeting with the Virginia State Board of Elections is scheduled for 8:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 4th.
For more information see the Virginia Libertarian Party news release.
