Filed Date: May 4, 2000
Closed Date: 2000
Clearinghouse coding complete
On May 4, 2000, the Libertarian Party of South Dakota and several concerned citizens filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota. The plaintiffs sued South Dakota, under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Represented by private counsel, they asked the court for both declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that the State misinterpreted state election law when it denied Libertarian Party candidate Brian Lerohl’s request to be added to the primary election ballot. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that the Libertarian Party should be designated a “political party” pursuant to SDCL 12-6-7.
Arguments focused on the requirements of the “political party” designation. In its May 25, 2000, answer, the State claimed that because the Libertarian Party had not, in the 1998 election, achieved the requisite percentage of votes to be considered a “political party,” it had to reregister as a “new party” for the 2000 election. The State asserted that a “new party” must meet a higher threshold of signatures on a nominating petition than a party with a “voting history.” The Libertarian Party had not satisfied this requirement.
On August 8, 2000, the District Court (Judge Richard H. Battey) ordered in favor of the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment, granting declaratory and injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees. A "satisfaction of judgment" was filed soon thereafter and the case was marked closed.
Summary Authors
Nick Niles (6/23/2006)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6320316/parties/libertarian-party-v-hazeltine/
Battey, Richard Howard (South Dakota)
Hyde, Kent (South Dakota)
Wald, Sherri Sundem (South Dakota)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6320316/libertarian-party-v-hazeltine/
Last updated Dec. 20, 2024, 7:24 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: South Dakota
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 4, 2000
Closing Date: 2000
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The Libertarian Party, a 2000 Libertarian candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, and a frequent Libertarian candidate for public office
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
Affected Race(s):
Voting: