ATLANTA (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that Georgia’s requirement that political organizations seeking to put a presidential candidate’s name on a statewide ballot have to get signatures from 1 percent of registered voters is unconstitutional.
The requirement applied to candidates from groups not considered a political party under Georgia law.
The Green Party of Georgia and the Constitution Party of Georgia sued the secretary of state in May 2012. They argued the signature requirement exceeded constitutional standards and infringed upon their right to participate in the electoral process.
U.S. District Judge Richard Story on Thursday wrote that a presidential candidate must submit 7,500 signatures on a petition that otherwise complies with state law to be put on the ballot. He said that will stand until the Legislature enacts a permanent measure.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/3/378538/federal-judge-says-georgias-ballot-access-law-is-unconstitutional