DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – A Polk County District Court is ordering Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate’s office to pause the ballot certification process amid legal challenges by the Libertarian Party of Iowa to get their congressional candidates back on the ballot.
In late August, a state panel found the Libertarian Party of Iowa did not follow proper protocol to get their candidates on the ballot and removed them from the November ballot.
The challenges, filed by Republican voters say the Libertarian Party held county conventions the same night as their precinct caucuses, which is against state law.
This injunction now allows the Libertarian Party to make their case as to why their candidates should be put back on the ballot.
“The court’s decision to grant the temporary injunction underscores the serious concerns raised by the LPIA regarding the fairness and legality of the State Objections Panel’s ruling,” said a press release from the Libertarian Party of Iowa.
A spokesperson for Secretary Pate’s office says they will not be certifying any of the races on the ballot Tuesday. They say they hope they’ll have more clarification on Wednesday regarding possible next steps.
Pate’s office says ballots have to be ready by Sept. 21, which is a federal requirement, so any decision will likely come from the court soon.
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