Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 15
Pennsylvania Judge Removes Green Candidate Andrew Tupone From 7th District Ballot as Spoiler Scrutiny Spreads
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 15

Pennsylvania Judge Removes Green Candidate Andrew Tupone From 7th District Ballot as Spoiler Scrutiny Spreads

1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 15

Summary

  • A Pennsylvania judge ordered Andrew Tupone off the ballot in the state's 7th House District after the Green Party sued, saying his petition signatures were insufficient without party approval.
  • Tupone had filed as a Green candidate even though party officials said they had never endorsed him and did not know who he was; local reports said he had recently been a registered Republican.
  • Tupone and lawyer Wally Zimolong said they would challenge the ruling, while the NRCC neither confirmed nor denied any role and instead accused Democrats of backing Libertarian candidates elsewhere.
  • Similar disputes are surfacing in battleground House races from Arizona to Michigan and Virginia, with both parties accused of encouraging third-party or independent candidates to siphon votes from opponents.

Insights

Could alternative voting methods eliminate the strategic use of third-party candidates as vote-splitters in highly competitive districts?