Federal court supports onerous 3rd party requirements

While admitting that a better way for 3rd parties to gain access to the ballot line is possible, a federal judge let stand a Pennsylvania requirement for petition signatures of at least 2% of the highest vote-getter's total in the previous election. In PA, this amounts to 67.070 signatures. Those of is who were around for our 2000 petition effort here in Michigan remember the amount of work and the level of organization it entailed. We even paid for some part of those signatures and carried that debt for a couple of election cycles. I understand the need to show a certain level of support before a political party gets on the ballot, but most state requirements are so burdensome as to be a barrier to entry to the political process.