Opinion summary
Etalia.ai summary of the majority opinion
The case involved a challenge to Alabama's ballot access laws, which required independent candidates for statewide office to obtain signatures from at least three percent of the voters in the last gubernatorial election. Peggy C. Kelley and other plaintiffs argued that these requirements were excessively burdensome and violated their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by limiting political participation and competition. The Supreme Court examined whether Alabama's regulations imposed an unconstitutional burden on independent candidates' ability to run for office compared to those affiliated with major parties. The Court considered factors such as historical context, state interests in regulating elections, and alternative means available for candidate qualification.
Opinion of the Court
Decided 27 Nov 2000 · Official report