District judge rules against Libertarian candidates seeking to be on November ballot

DES MOINES — Three Libertarian candidates seeking seats in the US House will not appear on the ballot in Iowa this November.

A district judge’s ruling validates a state election panel’s decision to uphold the challenges filed against the candidates by several Iowa Republicans. A three-member Iowa State Objection Panel on a 2-1 vote last month ruled that the Libertarian candidates should be removed from the ballot.

The two Republican panel members said the Libertarian Party did not comply with state laws in nominating the candidates, with those candidates filing an appeal to the Polk County District Court.

Those candidates could still appeal the district judge’s decision to the Iowa Supreme Court