Iowa Ballot Fight: Libertarian Sues Over Name Rejection

Libertarian congressional candidate Marco Battaglia is fighting to get back on Iowa's general election ballot after a state panel removed him for running under a name that isn't his legal one. Battaglia filed a lawsuit on Thursday, July 2, asking a Polk County judge to reverse the State Objection Panel's June 15 decision that kept him off the ballot in the competitive 3rd Congressional District.

Why Was Marco Battaglia Removed From the Ballot?

The State Objection Panel ruled 2-1 that Battaglia failed to qualify because his affidavit of candidacy and nominating papers don't match his legal name, Mark T. Andersen. The panel's majority, made up of Secretary of State Paul Pate and Attorney General Brenna Bird, both Republicans, determined that Iowa law doesn't allow candidates to run under a name entirely different from their legal identity.