Lawsuit helps Independent Candidates

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - An Alabama man is seeking to  throw out an Alabama law that requires independent or third party candidates to collect thousands of signatures to get their names on the ballot.

The federal lawsuit was filed by Andy Shugart of Gardendale, who said he wanted to run last year for the 6th Congressional District seat but did not because he needed to collect more than 6,000 signatures to get on the ballot. That was the amount required under the law he
is challenging.

Shutgart's lawyer, Arlene Richardson, said the law is a major reason why only Republicans and Democrats are on the ballot in most races in Alabama.