Ballot Access Lawsuit

In September of 2005, the LPNC filed a lawsuit challenging NC's ballot access laws. The intent of the lawsuit is to lower ballot access requirements in North Carolina, which are among the most restrictive in the country.

With support from LPNC members and those fighting for ballot access rights alongside the LPNC, the case worked its way through to the North Carolina Supreme Court.

On March 11, 2011, that court issued its opinion 5-1 that the state's ballot access restrictions were constitutional. After bearing the financial burden of the lawsuit for over five years, the LPNC is currently focusing its efforts on affecting the ballot access laws through legislation. For more information, see the Free the Vote Coalition.

Lawsuit News

• LPNC News: Supreme Court Issues Its Ruling (March 16, 2010)
• Ballot Access News: North Carolina Supreme Court Hears Ballot Access Case (September 9, 2010)
• The Tarheel Libertarian: One Small Victory; More to Come (May/June 2006 issue)
• LPNC Announcements: first victory in LPNC lawsuit! (May 5, 2006)
• LPNC Announcements: Libertarians are suing the state! (September 18, 2005)
• LPNC News: NC election law unconstitutional (September 21, 2005)
• LPNC News: NC's repressive stance on ballot access

Lawsuit documents

• N.C. Supreme Court Opinion (March 11, 2011)
• New Brief of Defendants-Appellees (April 5, 2010)
• Amicus Curiae Brief from the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law (March 8, 2010)
• Amicus Brief to Supreme Court (February 26, 2010)
• Brief to Supreme Court (March 1, 2010)
• Appeals Court Decision (October 20, 2009)
• Judge's Order (May 27, 2008)
• Second Amended complaint (March 3, 2007)
• State Board of Elections brief in defense of motion to dismiss (April 25, 2006)
• LPNC brief opposing motion to dismiss (April 2006)
• State response to injunction (October 18, 2005)
• Amended complaint (October 15, 2005)
• Letter to Judge Stephens for injunction (October 13, 2005)
• Motion for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction (September 22, 2005)
• LPNC Lawsuit as originally filed (September 21, 2005)
• Affidavit of Sean Haugh (September 19, 2005)