(The Center Square) – Iowa’s State Objection Panel voted Wednesday to disqualify three Libertarian congressional candidates from the November ballot, citing an Iowa law that requires political parties to hold precinct conventions.

Des Moines attorney Alan R. Ostergren cited a state law that requires major political parties to hold district meetings each year to challenge electoral votes for the first, third and fourth congressional districts.

The Libertarian Party filed for major party status in 2022 after Rick Stewart, a candidate for lieutenant governor, received 2% of the vote and was endorsed by Secretary of State Paul Pate.

“It must be noted that the Libertarian Party of Iowa has chosen to be a major political party,” Ostergren said in the objection. “Had it chosen to do so, it could not have filed the application for recognition with the Secretary of State after the 2022 general election. But in doing so, it has voluntarily assumed organizational responsibility. Failure to meet that responsibility has consequences.”

The panel, which consists of Pate, Attorney General Breanna Bird and State Auditor Rob Sand, voted 2-1 to remove the Libertarian candidates from the ballot because of the objections.

Sand, the only Democratic state official, was the only one to vote no.

“They want to impose a two-party system, divide the people of Iowa and limit their choices,” Sand said.

Libertarian Nicholas Gluba is challenging incumbent Republican Mariannette Miller-Miller Meeks in the race for the 1st congressional district. Democrat Christina Bohannon is also in the race.

In the race for the third congressional district, Republican Zach Nunn is running against Libertarian Marco Battaglia and Democrat Lanon Baccam. Randy Feenstra, who represents the fourth congressional district, is running against Democrat Ryan Melton and Libertarian Charles Aldrich.

Julia Cutler, chairwoman of the Iowa Libertarian Party, said she came to the same conclusion as Sand. The party is working on an appeal of the decision, which may include a review of the law governing precinct meetings.

“At first glance, the law appears to be arbitrary and capricious. It serves no purpose other than to add additional hooks,” Cutler said in an interview with reporters Wednesday afternoon. “Iowa law allows technical problems to be resolved without removing candidates from the ballot.”

Gluba said he and the other candidates would conduct “business as usual” and campaign.

“If we missed the process, we would still run as a write-in candidate,” Gluba said.