The Winds of Change?

A federal court finally put an end to the ridiculousness that is the Illinois ballot access regulations.

Just to give you an idea about the crap that passed for laws in Illinois consider this:

• Independent candidates must file nearly a year before the election - the same deadline that Democrats and Republicans use for their primaries.
  
• Petitions for Independents must include at least 10% of all registered voters that voted in the last election.
  
• Anyone that signs a 3rd party petition is barred from voting in any primary. (almost forgot the periods Kip.)
  
• You can only sign a single petition for any office, an effective technique for getting most independent petitions tossed out. Does anyone know this rule? No, so they sign whatever piece of paper is put in front of them.
  

In short;

Since Illinois’ filing deadline and signature requirement substantially
burden independent voters’ core First Amendment rights, they are
constitutionally suspect.

Of course, now the Libertarians have to put up or shut up. They have been whining for some time now that they could win if only they could get on the ballot. Its now much easier to get on the ballot? Will this translate to success? I doubt it.

But any change is good change, so I'm welcoming it with open arms (and crossed fingers).

HatTip: Volokh Conspiracy