BREAKING: Kansas Supreme Court Orders State to Remove Democrat's Name from Ballot in Senate Race

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Source: Associated Press

@AP: BREAKING: Kansas Supreme Court orders state to remove Democrat's name from ballot in Senate race.

KANSAS COURT: REMOVE DEMOCRAT FROM SENATE BALLOT

By JOHN HANNA
— Sep. 18, 2014 6:03 PM EDT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas must remove the name of the Democratic candidate against Republican Sen. Pat Roberts from the ballot, the state Supreme Court declared Thursday, in a unanimous ruling that could influence the fight for control of the U.S. Senate.

The court's decision leaves Democrats without a candidate, potentially making it easier for independent candidate Greg Orman to defeat the three-term incumbent. Republicans have counted on Roberts winning re-election in GOP-leaning Kansas as they seek to recapture a Senate majority.

Some Democrats nudged party nominee Chad Taylor out of the race earlier this month to avoid a major split of anti-Roberts votes. Taylor announced his withdrawal, but Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a conservative Republican publicly backing Roberts, declared that Taylor didn't comply with a state election law limiting when nominees can withdraw. Taylor petitioned the Supreme Court to remove his name from the ballot.

The justices unanimously agreed with Taylor, saying his formal letter of withdrawal to the secretary of state's office was sufficient to get his name off the ballot.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7a4dc22244254a03a970fea8cbaecfdb/kansas-court-remove-democrat-senate-ballot

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Background:

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/kansas-judges-question-why-democrat-cant-withdraw

KANSAS JUDGES QUESTION WHY DEMOCRAT CAN'T WITHDRAW
By JOHN HANNA
— Sep. 16, 2014 11:36 AM EDT

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, center, walks with members of his staff and legal team into the Kansas Judicial Center to file documents in a legal dispute before the state Supreme Court over the Democratic nominee's attempt to get off the ballot in the U.S. Senate race, Monday, Sept. 15, 2014, in Topeka, Kan. With Kobach are, to his left, special projects coordinator Jameson Beckner and attorney Bradley Scholzman and, to his right, attorney Thomas Knutzen. (AP Photo/John Hanna)

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Several Kansas Supreme Court justices are questioning why a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate who wants his name off the ballot should be prevented from doing so by the state's chief election officer.

The court heard arguments Tuesday in a case that has national implications because it could affect the battle for control of the Senate.

Democrat Chad Taylor's withdrawal could help independent candidate Greg Orman's chances to unseat vulnerable Republican incumbent Sen. Pat Roberts.

Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach ruled that Taylor's name must remain on the ballot because he didn't comply with state election law.