A federal judge on Tuesday denied a request to delay the printing and mailing of ballots for Montana’s special congressional election for three minor party and independent candidates who are suing to be in the race. The request by Thomas Breck of the Green Party and independents Steve Kelly and Doug Campbell was made after U.S. District Judge Brian Morris said he would not unilaterally add them to the ballot in the May 25 election. The three men appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and asked Morris to prevent state election officials from printing and mailing ballots to military and overseas voters while the case is pending. Morris said in his order that he would halt the lawsuit in his court until the appeal is resolved, but he won’t prevent the election from proceeding because the three men haven’t shown that they are likely to win their case.
Citing a similar ballot-access case in Illinois, Morris said it isn’t the court’s job to help any particular candidate to get on the ballot, but to make sure the state “does not erect insurmountable barriers to access.”
Morris’ order comes a day after the deadline for state election officials to mail out the overseas ballots. Secretary of State Corey Stapleton spokeswoman Morgan Williams confirmed about 4,900 ballots were mailed on Monday.
Full Article: Judge won’t halt Montana special election ballots for appeal | Government | missoulian.com.