Washington, D.C. – The Supreme Court let stand a decision that invalidated state laws regulating the ways independent presidential candidates can get on state ballots.
The high court today refused to hear an appeal from the state of Arizona, which had a residency requirement for petition circulators and a June deadline for submitting signatures for independent candidates in the November presidential elections.
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader sued, and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Arizona's law.
Thirteen other states, including Alabama, wanted the high court to reverse that decision. They say those rules are critical safeguards ensuring the integrity of their elections.
The case is Brewer v Nader, 08-648.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)