Judge Blocks Calif. Third-Party Deadline Law

Rule requires parties to meet qualifications for inclusion in November Ballot months before even the primaries

California's secretary of state cannot enforce an early party qualification deadline that burdens the constitutional rights of minority political parties, a federal judge ruled.

The rule bars new parties from appearing on the November ballot unless they can meet the requirements for qualification 135 days before the primary election, whether they intend to participate in the primary or not.

U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson found that these strict requirements cripple independent parties before they can get off the ground.