HOUSTON, Oct. 18, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Charles B. "ChuckM" Meyer, independent write-in candidate for the 18th Congressional District, has filed a suit in the United States District Court against the State of Texas, asking that the ballot for the 18th Congressional race in the November 2, 2010 election be modified to allow the same straight-party voting rights that apply to Republican, Democrat and Libertarian candidates be given to independent candidates for Federal office.
In his complaint, Meyer states that the State of Texas "has established a Constitutionally flawed electoral process for the election of Representatives to the U. S. House of Representatives that is biased toward the election of candidates who are party nominees. The process particularly favors those candidates who are nominees of the Republican and Democratic Parties."
Meyer sets forth that the application of the Texas Election Code, in particular to the process of electing the US Rep., Dist. 18, deprives independent candidates of equal treatment. "Such unfair treatment," said Meyer, "includes the violation of an independent candidate's Freedom of Association under the First Amendment and Equal Protection Rights under the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution as applied to Texas. Republicans can vote a straight ticket, Democrats can vote a straight ticket, but the system does not allow that same right to those who are independent of political parties." Meyer is asking that a choice of "No Party Affiliation" be added to the ballot in the election of the US Rep., Dist. 18, and that any such votes cast by that selection be credited as a vote for him.
Meyer also said the current ballot "places candidates' names on the ballot in an order based upon the relative success of the political parties in the prior statewide election," arbitrarily denying him the benefits of equal placement through a random or other fair process.
Also in his suit, Meyer asks the Court to direct the State of Texas to accept signatures of those who voted in a primary election on a petition in support of a declaration of an independent candidacy for any federal office for elections beginning 2012.
Meyer said he wants to clarify that he is not challenging straight-party voting for any position other than that of United States Representative, District 18.
Media contact:
Susan Love Fitts; 936-597-8825; susanlovefitts@consolidated.net
About Charles B. "ChuckM" Meyer:
Independent write-in candidate for the 18th Congressional District.
Charles B. "ChuckM" Meyer earned a graduate degree in law from the University of Oxford in 2005, having earlier obtained a B.S. degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia, an M.S. degree in Operations Research from George Washington University and a JD degree from the Washington College of Law of the American University. He had a varied and successful career as an engineer, patent examiner, judicial law clerk and a lawyer in both private practice and in-house with two corporations, including Research in Motion Limited, the BlackBerry® Smartphone Company. He is also a former visiting law professor at the University of Houston Law Center and at the University of Pittsburgh Law School. Most recently, he has been an entrepreneur and a dispute resolution professional.
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Charles B. "ChuckM" Meyer
Independent Write-In Candidate
18th Congressional District
Twitter: @ChuckM2010
Blog: http://chuckmnow.wordpress.com
Attached photo: Charles B. "ChuckM" Meyer
The BlackBerry® trademark is owned by Research In Motion Limited and is registered in the United States and may be pending or registered in other countries. ChuckM's Campaign is neither affiliated with, nor endorsed, sponsored, or otherwise approved by, Research In Motion Limited. The use of the BlackBerry® trademark is not to be construed as an endorsement, sponsorship or other approval by, or current affiliation with, Research In Motion Limited.
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| [Image] | Charles B. "ChuckM" Meyer |