Gary Johnson One Step Closer to PA Ballot

The Libertarian is fighting a GOP effort to keep him away from voters

The Libertarian Party won an important round in a challenge of its nominating papers, boosting the chances that its ticket will stay on the Pennsylvania ballot.

A three-judge panel of the state Commonwealth Court ruled 2-1 on Thursday that signatures of about 9,000 voters are valid even though they listed addresses that do not match those in the statewide voter registry.

Challengers backed by the Republican Party argued in court this week that all those signatures should be disqualified, which could have knocked out Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson, who said Friday he plans to visit the state next week.