State Panel Removes Two Libertarian Candidates From Iowa Ballot

A three-member state panel has removed Libertarian candidates for governor and Iowa's 3rd Congressional District from the November general election ballot, ruling that they failed to follow state election law. The candidates say they will appeal the decisions to district court.

Why Were the Libertarian Candidates Removed From the Ballot?

The Iowa State Objection Panel ruled Monday that gubernatorial candidate Nicholas Gluba and 3rd Congressional District candidate Marco Battaglia failed to meet legal requirements to appear on the ballot. Gluba was removed because his running mate, lieutenant governor candidate Jules Cutler, did not submit a signed affidavit of candidacy by the June 2 deadline. Battaglia was removed because his legal name is Mark T. Andersen, not Marco Battaglia, and Iowa law requires candidates to run under their legal name.

Republican voters and strategists challenged the candidacies ahead of what are expected to be highly competitive elections this fall. The Cook Political Report rates both the governor's race and the 3rd District race as toss-ups.

How Did the Panel Rule on Each Candidate?

Nicholas Gluba and Jules Cutler: Missing Affidavit

The challenge against the Gluba-Cutler ticket came from Waukee Republican Keven Arrowsmith. He argued that Cutler failed to provide a signed affidavit of candidacy to the Iowa Secretary of State's office, a basic requirement under state law.

Cutler claimed an employee in the Secretary of State's office, Dani Phillips, told her the affidavit was unnecessary and refused to accept it when she tried to submit it. Phillips testified that Cutler never offered the affidavit or asked whether one was required.

Attorney General Brenna Bird, who sits on the panel, said the factual dispute was clear but that she sided with the election worker.