York, PA - Betsy Summers wasn't successful in her bid to become the state's auditor general.
But Summers, of Luzerne County, and some other Libertarians did do well enough to change the status of the statewide party through the 2014 elections, according to Department of State spokesman Ron Ruman.

Summers was one of the Libertarian candidates who exceeded a 2 percent threshold in the November 2012 election, which means that Libertarians in Pennsylvania are now considered part of a statewide minor political party, instead of a political body.

The state Green Party is still considered a political body, Ruman said.

The change influences the requirements Libertarians have in the 95th state House special election, which will be necessary because former state Rep. Eugene DePasquale has become the state auditor general. 

"They would have the opportunity to get a candidate on the ballot without having to go through the more extensive signature process," Ruman said.

Libertarians can appoint a candidate directly to the ballot for the special election, similar to the process for Republicans and Democrats.

"There's one little thing that we're allowed to do the same as the other guys," Summers said. "That truly is exciting."

Since the state Green Party is still considered a political body, its candidate would need to gather signatures equal to 2 percent of the largest vote-getter in the last election for that office, which would equal at least 337 signatures in the 95th District.

Summers, who is the eastern vice chairwoman for the state party, said minor political party status is also supposed to mean that the party is a choice on voter registration forms.

"This gives us a little box that they can check," Summers said.

But she said "draconian" laws that make it difficult for third-party and independent candidates to get on the ballot in general elections are still in place.

@edmahonreporter; 771-2089

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