Party's ballot status issue goes before state supreme court

HARRISBURG — The “No Party” Party of Pennsylvania (NPPP) filed lawsuit with the state Supreme Court Tuesday asking for proof from the Department of State that it does not qualify for minority party status in regard to the upcoming special election for the vacant 29th district state senate seat. The district covers parts of six counties, including Carbon, Monroe, Northhampton, Berks, Lehigh, and Schuylkill. The suit arises after the DOS publicly acknowledged “qualified minor party” status of the NPPP and then abruptly backtracked on the statement, citing a new interpretation of state election law which does not classify General Assemblymen seats as “statewide offices.” The NPPP argues that the “...interpretation of Senator in the General Assembly as being a ‘countywide office’ for the foregoing statutes, must of necessity violate either Norman v. Reed, 502 US 279 (1992)[Supreme Court held the support requirements of multi-district political sub-divisions unconstitutionally burdensome], or the principle of “one man-one vote” as developed in Baker v. Carr, Reynolds v. Simms or Westbury v. Sanders…” Due to strict time constraints of the upcoming special election, which is currently scheduled for March 3, 2009, the NPPP is requesting that the Supreme Court take the case on direct appeal, as an emergency, and postpone the election until the DOS is able to answer the legal questions regarding the status of the party. For the full text of the NPPP Request for Emergency Relief, visit www.nppp.wordpress.com .