Ohio Libertarian civic candidate back on ballot

Libertarian candidate for Reynoldsburg City Council returned to November ballot - News - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH - Marc Kovac

July 23, 2019 - "The Franklin County Board of Elections returned a Libertarian candidate for Reynoldsburg City Council to the November ballot on Tuesday, about a week after being ordered to do so by the Ohio Supreme Court. Robert Bender had filed suit seeking reinstatement in the race for the Ward 3 council seat after elections officials invalidated several petition signatures he had submitted....

"Bender submitted his candidacy declaration in early February, and elections officials determined that he had the requisite number of valid petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. He was unopposed in the primary and was subsequently certified for the Nov. 5 ballot.

"However, another resident protested Bender’s petitions, challenging some of the validated signatures. In June, the county elections board formally heard the challenge, compared signatures on Bender’s petitions with those on file with the board, determined that several did not match, and removed Bender from the general election ballot.

"The Ohio Supreme Court determined that the elections board had abused its discretion by acting more than two months after the primary and that evidence was lacking that the protester was a Libertarian Party member with standing to challenge the signatures.

"On Tuesday, without comment, the elections board certified Bender for the ballot, adding his name to nine other candidates earlier approved for several Reynoldsburg City Council races."

Read more: https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190723/libertarian-candidate-for-reynoldsburg-city-council-returned-to-november-ballot
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Ohio Libertarians dispute loss of ballot status

Ohio Libertarians may sue to keep ballot access | cleveland.com - Jeremy Pelzer:

November 13, 2018 - "Secretary of State Jon Husted’s office says that the Libertarians, along with the Ohio Green Party, lost their ballot access because their respective candidates for governor in the Nov. 6 midterm election didn’t get the 3 percent of the vote required under state law to remain a recognized minor party. The Libertarians’ gubernatorial nominee, Columbus activist and filmmaker Travis Irvine, got 1.8 percent of the vote, according to unofficial totals.

"But Ohio Libertarians point to a part of the law (specifically, section 3501.01(F)(2)(b) of the Ohio Revised Code) stating that the '3-percent' requirement is only for minor parties that have been recognized for at least a year before the election. The Libertarian Party of Ohio regained state recognition in July for the first time since 2014, a year after the GOP-controlled legislature passed new ballot-access rules (which the Libertarians tried unsuccessfully to fight in a lengthy court battle).

"Secretary of state spokesman Sam Rossi disputed the Libertarians’ assertion that the '3-percent' requirement doesn’t apply to them.... Rossi also noted that the Libertarian Party of Ohio’s chair, Harold Thomas, claimed the day before the 2018 midterms that Irvine needed 3 percent of the vote to 'automatically achieve 2020 ballot access....

"Rossi declined to comment further, saying the Libertarians are likely to file suit over the matter against Husted’s successor, Republican Frank LaRose.... Indeed, that’s exactly what Libertarian Party of Ohio spokesman David Jackson said his party would do, if they are notified by Husted’s office that they are de-certified as a minor party."

Read more: https://www.cleveland.com/politics/2018/11/ohio-libertarians-may-sue-to-keep-ballot-access.html
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Ohio Libertarians begin modest TV ad buy (video)

Libertarian candidate for governor unveils TV ads in Toledo - Toledo Blade - Liz Skalka:

November 1, 2018 - "Libertarian governor candidate Travis Irvine launched his first television ads in Toledo and Cincinnati less than a week from Election Day.... The buy is for a modest $2,000 worth of airtime on Fox News and CNBC, campaign manager Ken Moellman said....

"Irvine, whose campaign has already invested in radio ads, said the TV ads are ones already featured online and are produced by Mr. Irvine himself. The 35-year-old from Columbus runs his own media company and also dabbles in comedy. 'I guarantee I’m the only candidate to edit his own ads,' he said....

"Irvine reported raising more than $5,000 from Oct. 1 through Oct. 17 and spending $7,300. [Republican Mike] DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray have raised more than $44 million....

"Irvine said he would campaign in Lucas, Geauga, and Butler counties, where he said he has the support of some conservative Republicans who have balked from backing Mr. DeWine."

Read more: https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2018/11/01/libertarian-candidate-for-governor-tv-ads-Toledo-travis-irvine/stories/20181031155
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Exclusive debates are campaign contributions, Ohio Libertarians ask Election Commission to rule

Libertarians file complaint over three Ohio gubernatorial debates :: WRAL.com - Cox newspapers:

September 25, 2018 - "The Libertarian Party of Ohio has filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission over being excluded from three gubernatorial debates, including the first one held last week at the University of Dayton [UD] between Democrat Richard Cordray and Republican Mike DeWine.

"The 23-page complaint alleges that the university and the DeWine and Cordray campaigns excluded other qualified gubernatorial candidates from planning and participating in the debate.

"'No pre-existing objective criteria -- other than the participants being Richard Cordray and Mike DeWine -- were published, documented or in any way made available to the public, the press, the two minor political parties, or the two minor political parties' qualified gubernatorial candidates,' the complaint says.

"Libertarian Party of Ohio nominee Travis Irvine and Ohio Green Party nominee Constance Gadell Newton will also appear on the statewide ballot as candidates for governor.

"Two other debates between Cordray and DeWine [were held] Oct. 1 at Marietta College and Oct. 7 at Cleveland State University.

"The Libertarian Party's complaint alleges that hosting the Sept. 19 debate amounted to an illegal campaign contribution to DeWine and Cordray from UD.

"A university spokesperson said the week before the debate that it had set a 10-percent polling requirement for candidates to participate in the debate. The Libertarian complaint said there is no evidence they have seen that the criteria was set before the debate was announced....

"The Ohio Elections Commission is expected to give the complaint a preliminary review at its Nov. 1 meeting."

Read more: https://www.wral.com/libertarians-file-complaint-over-three-ohio-gubernatorial-debates/17872675/
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NW Ohio conservatives urge Libertarian vote

Northwest Ohio conservative PAC won't back DeWine for governor - Toledo Blade - Liz Skalka:

September 11, 2018 - "Instead of GOP candidate Mike DeWine, a northwest Ohio political action committee is advising conservative voters to support the Libertarian running for governor or no candidate at all for the state’s top office.

"The Northwest Ohio Conservative Coalition’s 2018 e-slate card, which steers voters to the most conservative candidates on the Nov. 6 ballot, suggests choosing Republicans for all statewide offices except in the race between Mr. DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray. Its advice: Pick Libertarian Travis Irvine or leave the ballot blank....

"The move is evidence that despite [his] efforts to align himself with President Trump, the most right-leaning or conservative Ohio voters may not come out in force to support Mr. DeWine. Coalition members question whether the attorney general supports their values and say he’s too closely aligned with Gov. John Kasich, who has fallen out with some in the state Republican Party....

"'John Kasich is constantly reminding Ohioans and the nation that he doesn’t support Trump and will be making a run for the Presidential bid in 2020. Yet we are to somehow believe that Trump will lose Ohio if DeWine doesn’t win as Governor, meanwhile we are supposed to ignore that DeWine is surrounded with Kasich loyalist [sic],' the coalition wrote on its website where voters can search their registration for a recommended slate....

"If Mr. Irvine, a 35-year-old journalist and filmmaker, captures 3 percent of the vote then Libertarians can keep [ballot] access for the next four years, meaning their candidates can appear on the ballot next to their party designation.

"That’s why it’s more important for conservatives to support Libertarians being on the ballot than either of the gubernatorial candidates, said Tom Zawistowski, a leader of the Ohio Tea Party and founder of We the People Convention.... 'A vote for Mike DeWine is a vote for eight more years of John Kasich and we have no interest in that at all,' he said....

"Conservatives also don’t like that both candidates say they would keep Mr. Kasich’s Medicaid expansion. In 2014, Mr. Irvine started an anti-Kasich PAC, Central Ohioans Countering Kasich....

"The Northwest Ohio Conservative Coalition has raised and spent more than $17,000 in 2017 through June, 2018, ending the month with $1,200 on hand, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission."

Read more: http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2018/09/11/Northwest-Ohio-conservative-PAC-won-t-back-DeWine-for-governor/stories/20180911167
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100K sign to put Ohio Libertarians back on ballot

Ohio Libertarians seek a return to the ballot this year | cleveland.com - Jeremy Pelzer:

July 5, 2018 - "On Monday, Libertarians submitted almost 103,000 petition signatures to once again become an official 'minor party' in Ohio, according to Secretary of State Jon Husted's office.

"Husted's office is now checking to see whether at least 54,964 of those signatures are valid - the current threshold to become a minor party in the state. Under Ohio law, Libertarians also need 500 or more valid signatures from at least half of the state's 16 congressional districts.

"If they pass those requirements, the party plans to run a candidate for governor this November.... Libertarians also are looking to run candidates for secretary of state and other offices, said Scott Pettigrew, vice chair of the Libertarian Party of Ohio's central committee.

"If the party clinches state recognition, candidates would have until July 19 to submit petitions to run as a Libertarian (the filing deadline for independent and other parties' candidates has already passed). If there are multiple candidates for a single office, a five-member party committee (which includes Pettigrew) would decide which of them would appear on the 2018 general-election ballot as a Libertarian.

"If the Libertarians regain ballot access, the party's main goal will be to make sure their gubernatorial candidate gets at least 3 percent of the statewide vote in November. That's the threshold minor parties in Ohio need to reach to remain on the ballot in 2020....

"In the long term, Ohio Libertarians will also have to work to regain interest from voters and activists, which has dwindled since the party lost state recognition in 2014 thanks to stiffer ballot-access rules and the disqualification of their gubernatorial candidate, Charlie Earl."

Read more: https://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2018/07/libertarians_seek_a_return_to.html
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'Circular reasoning' keeps Libertarians off ballot in Ohio

Here's why Ohio's Libertarians can't get their party name on the ballot | cleveland.com - Robert Higgs:

January 20, 2017 - "The Ohio Supreme Court on Friday rejected a complaint from members of Ohio's Libertarian Party that Secretary of State Jon Husted improperly decided to keep the party's designation from appearing on future ballots.

"In a 6-1 ruling, the court held that Husted was correct when he asserted Libertarians could not use the vote totals from Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson, who got 3.17 percent of the vote in November's election....

"Ohio law requires parties reach a threshold of 3 percent to be allowed to have their affiliation listed with candidates. Husted said no because Johnson ran as an independent.... Members of the Libertarian Party sued in December in an attempt to overturn Husted's decision.

"But in its ruling, the Supreme Court said that ballot performance would only have helped the Libertarian Party if the candidates had actually appeared as Libertarian candidates. But since the Libertarians were not recognized as a valid party entering the election, that was not possible.

"'As Husted notes, the 3 percent vote required for a group to "remain" a political party must be received by the 'political party's candidate,' as specified in [state law,' the court said. 'The Libertarian's] candidates could not be the "political party's candidate[s]" because they were nominated and appeared on the ballot as independent candidates, unaffiliated with any political party'....

"Justice William O'Neill dissented.

"The Libertarians, he wrote, want recognition to participate in Ohio's 2017 primary election and beyond, while Husted is opposed because their presidential ticket did not appear as Librertarians on the ballot.

"'That is, at best, circular reasoning. It would not have been possible for Gary Johnson and Bill Weld to run as the candidates of the Libertarian Party as there was no such party recognized by the state of Ohio,' O'Neill wrote. 'Political parties have to start somewhere. Relators followed the rules that define what constitutes a political party, and now the state's chief elections officer asks this court to twist those rules around to keep the seeds of democracy from sprouting.'"

Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/01/heres_why_ohios_libertarians_c.html
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SCOTUS dismisses Kasich conspiracy lawsuit

US Supreme Court declines to hear Ohio Libertarians' lawsuit - Washington Times - Julie Carr, Associated Press:

January 9, 2017 - "The U.S. Supreme Court has declined without comment to hear a long-running ballot access lawsuit brought by the Libertarian Party of Ohio. The high court’s action came Monday. It’s a victory for Ohio’s elections chief and a voter sued by Libertarians for their roles in disqualifying Libertarians’ gubernatorial candidate from 2014 fall ballots.

"The party sued Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted ... and voter Greg Felsoci, alleging they were part of a scheme to selectively enforce Ohio election law to help GOP Gov. John Kasich’s ... re-election bid. At the time, the third-party gubernatorial candidacy of Charlie Earl was seen as potentially drawing votes from Kasich, who later easily won re-election."

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jan/9/us-supreme-court-declines-to-hear-ohio-libertarian/

Justices turn down appeal from Libertarians tossed from 2014 Ohio ballot | The Columbus Dispatch - Jack Torry:

January 11, 2017 - "Without comment Monday, the justices [let stand] a decision last year by both a federal appeals court in Cincinnati and a federal judge in Columbus that Gov. John Kasich and Secretary of State Jon Husted did not violate the U.S. Constitution when they removed Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Charlie Earl and attorney-general candidate Steven Linnabary from the ballot....

"Husted disqualified the two Libertarians because ... the people paid to circulate the [nominating] petitions did not disclose their employers on the petition.

"The Libertarians argued that state officials, as a way to help Kasich win re-election, were placing unfair burdens on their efforts to qualify for the ballot."

Read more: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2017/01/09/supreme-court-rejects-libertarian-appeal.html

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Ohio Libertarians sue (again) for party status

Libertarians sue Husted, demand Ohio recognize them as political party | The Columbus Dispatch - Randy Ludlow:

December 22, 2016 - "The Libertarian Party of Ohio is suing Secretary of State Jon Husted, alleging his office is illegally refusing to acknowledge it is a recognized political party.

"In a lawsuit filed with the Ohio Supreme Court, five party activists claim that Husted improperly refused after the Nov. 8 election to certify the Libertarian Party.

"Since the party's presidential ticket, led by former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, received 3.17 percent of the vote, it exceeded the 3-percent threshold required to be recognized as a party, the lawsuit states.

"The ticket appeared on the ballot without a Libertarian Party designation because the party had been stripped of its status as officially recognized.

"In a Dec. 6 letter, Husted's office wrote that Johnson appeared on the ballot as an independent, and not a Libertarian, so the party had not received the 3-percent of the vote to regain certification, the lawsuit said....

"'Once again, the Republicans who control state government are risking taxpayer dollars to limit their voting choice,' said Scott Pettigrew, a nominating committee member and chairman of the Libertarian Party of Ohio Executive Committee. 'We're asking the court to compel Secretary Husted to do his job, no more and no less.'

"Joshua Eck, spokesman for Husted, said in a statement: 'There’s a clear path for establishing a political party in this state -- a process that has already been upheld by the courts and used by others. These laws exist not to deter or limit access to the ballot, but to ensure a level playing field for all.""

Read more: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/12/22/Libertarians_sue_Husted_over_ballot_access.html
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Ohio should recognize the Libertarian Party

Recognize the Libertarians - The Toledo Blade - editorial:

December 14, 2016 - "In the wake of former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson’s presidential run, the Ohio Libertarian Party is seeking state recognition and ballot access to make it easier to run candidates. The Libertarians seek to join the Republicans, Democrats, and Greens on Ohio’s ballots.

"Ohio law says 'any group' can become a recognized political party through a petition process. And if a group’s candidate for president or governor breaks 3 percent, it gets recognition for four years. Ohio’s Libertarians are circulating petitions, but they’re also seeking recognition through the 3 percent rule.

"State party chairman Scott Pettigrew argues that Governor Johnson broke 3 percent, and the committee of voters that placed the national Libertarian Party’s nominee on Ohio’s ballots as an independent candidate — a committee of which Mr. Pettigrew was a member — is now seeking recognition as a party....

"Meanwhile, the party is working on candidates for governor in 2018 and for partisan races across Ohio, Mr. Pettigrew said. But it must focus on the governor’s race, he said, in order to break 3 percent and keep recognition for another four years.

"The Libertarians are entitled to recognition as a party. Mr. Pettigrew is right: The law says 'any group.' Mr. Johnson didn’t carry the Libertarian label in Ohio, but he was placed on the ballot by a group of Libertarians, and he got in excess of 3 percent of the vote — he got 3.2 percent, or 174,498 votes....

"The only reason to deny the Libertarians party status and ballot access is that they would take votes from Republicans. Denying them for that reason would be unfair."

Read more: http://www.toledoblade.com/Editorials/2016/12/14/Toledo-Blade-editorial-Recognize-the-Libertarians.html
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Johnson & Weld make Ohio ballot

Libertarian Johnson to appear on Ohio ballot | WDTN TV - Paul Rodzinka:

August 24, 2016 - "Ohio’s elections chief has cleared the way for Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson to appear on fall ballots in the critical swing state.

"Johnson’s ballot access had been in question after party activists submitted paperwork and voter signatures earlier this month on behalf of a different candidate. They said they planned to swap in Johnson.

"Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted has said Ohio law neither openly permits nor bars the switch, but he would allow it as long as elections boards validated enough voter signatures.
Husted’s office announced Wednesday that Johnson’s supporters have met the signature requirements.

"Libertarians aren’t recognized as a political party in Ohio, so activists sought to collect enough signatures from voters to get Johnson on the ballot by way of a process for independent candidates."

http://wdtn.com/2016/08/24/libertarian-johnson-to-appear-on-ohio-ballot/
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Kasich named in 'conspiracy' to get LP off ballot

Kasich Court Docs Reveal “Civil Conspiracy” Behind Take Down Of Libertarian Gov Candidate In 2014 - John Michael Spinnelli, Plunderbund:

February 14, 2016 - "Gov. John Kasich was one of six Republican candidates on stage in South Carolina Saturday night at the debate sponsored by CBS News ... but CBS moderators didn’t know enough, apparently, to ask him about the toxic stew of campaign tricks he’s alleged to have participated in two years ago.

"According to court documents, Kasich successfully derailed his Libertarian Party competitor for governor in 2014 in order to clear his path of obstacles so he could win without worry, then launch his second bid for president.

"'The Kasich Campaign, Borges, Schrimpf, Damschroder, the Governor’s staff and Casey from the very beginning were in constant contact about the protest,' wrote plaintiff attorneys for Libertarian Party of Ohio (LPO) candidate Charlie Earl in court documents. According to filings from Mark Brown and Mark G. Kafantaris, co-counsels for Charlie Earl: 'They shared a common objective — to keep Earl off the ballot. Their minds had met; they acted together.' Filed nearly three months ago, [the documents] 'concisely collect the evidence showing that the Kasich Campaign, the Ohio Republican Party, Casey, Borges and officials in Husted’s office were all involved in removing Earl'...

"Matt Borges, who in spite of a prior conviction for public influence peddling became chairman for the state party when Gov. Kasich orchestrated a take over of the party shortly after winning election, testified at his deposition that he 'did not recall' communicating with Casey in February and March of 2014, according to court documents.... 'Borges was obviously attempting to hide ORP’s involvement. Borges is not credible. ORP was involved from the beginning,' Brown and Kafantaris wrote.

"The Ohio Republican Party, under Borges’ direction, began making payments to the Zeiger firm on Casey’s behalf on November 19, 2014. The first payment was $100,000 on November 19, 2014. The second payment for $100,000 was made on December 22, 2014. The third payment, $50,000, was made on December 29, 2014. The fourth payment, $50,000, was made on February 24, 2015. The four total $300,000, though more may have been made,' the co-counsels wrote. Casey on November 11, 2014 hand-delivered his November 10, 2014 invoice reflecting a $552,305.26 bill....

"Terry Casey, for his part, has stated that his objective was a political one. 'The documentary evidence proves that Casey’s animus was shared by others in the conspiracy — notably members of the Kasich Campaign, the Ohio Republican Party, and even in the Secretary’s Office,' co-counsels wrote....

"'Regarding the first question, the evidence leaves little doubt; even the Defendants appear to concede (after eighteen months of denials and several discovery violations) that Casey acted together with either the Kasich Campaign, the Ohio Republican Party, or both.'

"On the second question, plaintiff attorneys argue that Terry Casey was a state officer engaged in state action, as was Matt Damschroder, a state agent engaged in state action. Each was also involved with Ohio Republican Party and the Kasich Campaign."

Read more: http://plunderbund.com/2016/02/14/kasich-court-docs-reveal-civil-conspiracy-behind-take-down-of-libertarian-gov-candidate-in-2014/
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Ohio Libertarians being kept off 2016 ballot

Sandusky Register: Libertarians not allowed to file in Ohio - Tom Jackson:

December 23, 2016 - "When last week's filings for office concluded, the candidates included plenty of Democrats and Republicans and a Green Party candidate for the U.S. Senate, Joseph DeMare.

"But the filings didn't include any Libertarian candidates.

"Ohio Libertarian Party spokesman Aaron Keith Harris said the party is still battling in federal court before U.S. District Judge Michael Watson in Columbus to try to overturn state ballot access law in court that made it harder for smaller political parties in Ohio to be recognized. Watson has not issued a final ruling in the case.

"Secretary of State Jon Husted's office advised election boards not to accept Libertarian Party filings for office, Harris said.

"Several would-be Libertarian candidates tried to file, while others were ready but did not go ahead after being told their petitions would not be accepted....

"'We are obviously very disappointed Husted has chosen to enforce a law that is still being challenged in the courts,' Harris said. 'We are frustrated that the court proceedings have taken this long.' If Libertarians lose their court case, "we'll appeal until we can't appeal any more," Harris said.

"Joshua Eck, a spokesman for Husted, said the Libertarian Party currently is not a recognized political party in Ohio.

"To gain recognition, a minor party must collect at least 3 percent of the vote in the most recent race for president or governor in Ohio. Green candidate Anita Rios got 3.3 percent when she ran for governor in 2014, Eck said.

"The Libertarian candidate for governor in 2014, Charlie Earl, was tossed off the ballot....

"Eck said if Libertarians want to be recognized as a political party, they must turn in petitions signed by 1 percent of people who voted in the last presidential or gubernatorial election. At least 500 signatures must be collected in at least half of the state's U.S. House districts, he said."

Read more: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/Politics/2015/12/23/Libertarians-not-allowed-to-file-in-Ohio.html?ci=stream&lp=4&p=1
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Ohio GOP paid $590k to get Libertarian off ballot

Ohio GOP payouts in ballot fight nearly $600,000 | The Columbus Dispatch:

July 12, 2015 -"A recent court filing showed the Ohio Republican Party’s legal bills in the challenge to 2014 Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Charlie Earl are almost $600,000 — nearly double the amount previously disclosed.

"The additional spending was documented as part of the Libertarian party’s lawsuit against Secretary of State Jon Husted. It challenges Husted’s decision to disqualify Earl.

"The GOP reported and previously disclosed payments toward the disqualification effort totaling $300,000.

"Records show that, by March, the bill had risen to $592,000.

"The party paid Zeiger, Tigges & Little, a firm hired by a Republican consultant Terry Casey, who spearheaded the challenge.

"Casey says he acted on his own.

"The party says Casey only sought its financial help after the fact.

"Earl might have drawn votes from Republican Gov. John Kasich."

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/07/12/ohio-gop-payouts-in-ballot-fight-nearly-600000.html
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Ohio LP rejects marijuana legalization initiative

Libertarians, Green Party oppose ResponsibleOhio's marijuana legalization plan | cleveland.com:

May 29, 2015 - "ResponsibleOhio's plan to legalize marijuana through a limited number of commercial growers is being criticized by two staunch supporters of marijuana legalization -- the Green Party of Ohio and Libertarian Party of Ohio.

"The two groups join grassroots pro-pot groups in opposing ResponsibleOhio's proposed constitutional amendment, which would legalize marijuana for medical and personal use but limit commercial growing to 10 predetermined sites promised to wealthy campaign backers. ResponsibleOhio plans to put its constitutional amendment before Ohio voters in November.

"'There is nothing "responsible" about ResponsibleOhio, Libertarian Party of Ohio Political Director Tricia Sprankle said in a statement. 'This isn't a proposal to restore rights to Ohioans. It's a crony scheme to line the pockets of a few wealthy investors.'

"The libertarians have supported legalization for more than 30 years but cannot support 'the crony-capitalist nature' of the ResponsibleOhio plan, Sprankle said....

At least three other groups have proposed marijuana legalization plans that do not specify commercial grow sites:

• Ohio Rights Group would legalize marijuana for medical use and allow industrial hemp farming. 
• Ohioans to End Prohibition would allow the market to determine growth and sales of marijuana according to a newly created Division of Marijuana Control. 
• Responsible Ohioans for Cannabis would free prisoners and expunge records in addition to allowing Ohio adults to grow up to 99 plants for personal use. 

"The Green Party is urging its members to support those three proposals. The Libertarian Party is reviewing the other amendments....

"Only the Ohio Rights Group, ResponsibleOhio and Better for Ohio are currently collecting the final batch of signatures to appear on the November ballot."

Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2015/05/libertarians_green_party_oppos.html
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Ohio GOP paid $300K to get Libertarian off ballot

Ohio Republican Party paid $300,000 in legal bills to keep Libertarian candidate off ballot | cleveland.com - Jeremy Pelzer, Northeast Ohio Media Group:

May 19, 2015 - "The Ohio Republican Party paid $300,000 to the law firm involved with successfully keeping would-be Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Charlie Earl off last year's ballot, according to Ohio Elections Commission filings.

"The payments, detailed by attorneys representing Gov. John Kasich's re-election campaign and GOP activist Terry Casey, came after Republican Party Chair Matt Borges denied in federal court last year that his party was behind the challenge to Earl's candidacy.

"Casey and Kasich's campaign brought up the payments as evidence that Kasich's re-election campaign did not collude to disqualify Earl, as the Libertarian alleges in an elections commission complaint.

"According to separate motions filed earlier this month by Casey and Kasich's campaign, the Ohio Republican Party made three separate payments to the law firm of Zeiger, Tigges and Little between November 2014 and February of this year.

"Those payments were documented on campaign finance reports submitted to the Ohio secretary of state's office.

"When the Libertarians filed a federal lawsuit to try to force Earl's name on the ballot, Borges testified in March 2014 that the party did not pay any money to fund the pair's cases.

"'Anyone who's looking for the conspiracy behind it – it's just not there,' he said at the time."

Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2015/05/ohio_republican_party_paid_300.html
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2015/05/ohio_republican_party_paid_300.html
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Ohio Libertarians' 2015 ballot access in legal limbo

Ohio Libertarians face quagmire in seeking state, local ballot access - Ann Sanner, Bucyrus Telegraph Forum:

March 11, 2015 - "Libertarian candidates seeking some local offices in Ohio face uncertain access to the ballot this year as they await a judge's decision over new rules for minor political parties.

"At issue is a 2013 state law that imposes stiffer criteria for minor political parties to reach and maintain their party's label on ballots in the perennial swing state....

"Libertarians and third-party allies including the Green Party challenged the new rules in federal court, contending that they placed hurdles before candidates who already were actively seeking to make the 2014 ballot.

"Last year, Judge Michael Watson issued an order temporarily barring the law from being applied while he decides [the] case.

"But the pending court ruling has created a quagmire for some Libertarian candidates this year as a May primary approaches.

"Election boards in Tuscarawas and Guernsey counties recently declined to certify candidate petitions of two Libertarians. The boards said they had been told by the office of the state's elections chief that the Libertarian Party did not meet the minimum minor party qualifications in 2014.

"Libertarians accuse Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted of violating the judge's order that blocks him from applying the law....

"At least one Libertarian candidate was certified in Hamilton County last month and is expected to appear on fall ballots. Jerald Robertson, mayor of Elmwood Place, successfully filed his petitions to seek re-election, the county's board of the elections said. He won't appear on May primary ballots because he is unopposed.

"Husted spokesman Matt McClellan said the office has not directed boards to accept or reject candidate petitions."

Read more: http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/story/news/state/2015/03/11/ohio-libertarians-face-quagmire-seeking-state-local-ballot-access/70137142/
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Man who knocked LP off Ohio ballot countersues

Ohio voter seeks sanctions for Libertarian Earl - Julie Carr Smyth, Associated Press:

November 24, 2014 - "An Ohio voter who was sued over his role in disqualifying a Libertarian gubernatorial candidate from fall ballots wants the politician, his lawyers and party leaders sanctioned for taking their case too far.

"Greg Felsoci (fehl-SOH'-see) filed his request against candidate Charlie Earl in federal court Monday.

"He contends Earl, two Libertarian Party leaders and their two lawyers insist on pursuing their claims against Felsoci despite a lack of evidence and even after the election season has ended. Felsoci says that's needlessly increasing his legal bills.

"Earl's lawyer, Mark Brown, said they'll respond through the court.

"Earl's third-party candidacy against Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) has been politically charged. Testimony revealed Democrats worked to qualify Earl for the ballot, while a GOP consultant underwrote the successful challenge to Earl's petitions."

http://www.wtrf.com/story/27470489/ohio-voter-seeks-sanctions-for-libertarian-earl

Knedler on Ohio ballot as Libertarian, for SoS

Libertarian points to his independence - Toledo Blade - Jim Provance:

October 19, 2014 - "Kevin Knedler offers himself as the alternative to two-party control of state government.

"'As secretary of state, I would be an independent voice,' he said. 'I would not be beholden to special interests or the two major parties. I would not use the office to run for something higher.'

"Mr. Knedler, chairman of the Libertarian Party of Ohio, scrambled to mount a successful write-in campaign during the primary election when it was clear the party’s chosen candidate failed to gather the signatures necessary to qualify.

" He is on the Nov. 4 ballot alongside Republican incumbent Secretary of State Jon Husted and the Democratic challenger, state Sen. Nina Turner (D., Cleveland).

"In addition to watching the court fights over early voting in recent weeks, Mr. Knedler points to legislation passed by the General Assembly that the party maintains would make it tougher for minor party candidates to qualify for the ballot. He also notes the apparent involvement of Republicans in challenging the candidate petitions of fellow Libertarians for statewide office, including governor.... In the meantime, Mr. Knedler said he would advocate for greater participation by independents and minor parties on county boards of elections that are currently split 2-2 between Democrats and Republicans.

"He also proposes making it easier for minor parties to demonstrate they have the support necessary to give them a spot on Ohio’s ballot."

Read more: http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2014/10/19/Libertarian-points-to-his-independence.html
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Ohio Libertarians to get new day in court

Federal Court Will Hear Ohio LP’s Appeal for Ballot Access - Uncovered Politics:

September 14, 2014 - "A federal court judge will hear a complaint from Ohio Libertarian candidates who were removed from the ballot earlier this year.  The trial, scheduled for September 29, has been fast-tracked as the LP candidates are demanding the state place them on the November ballot before absentee voting begins.

"Among the Libertarians fighting to get back on the ballot is Charlie Earl, the party’s nominee for governor and a former Republican state legislator.  Earl won about 180,000 votes or 5% as the Libertarian nominee for Ohio Secretary of State in 2010....

"The report from WFMJ…

Libertarians recently updated their lawsuit with what they say are Republicans’ connections in the case. They say a GOP consultant and appointee of Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik) was responsible for hiring the law firm whose challenge pushed two of their candidates off Ohio’s ballot.

Terry Casey worked for Kasich’s 2010 campaign. The governor has since appointed him chair of the state personnel review board."

Read more: http://www.uncoveredpolitics.com/2014/09/14/federal-court-will-hear-ohio-libertarian-appeal/
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