Democrats and Republicans can breathe a sigh of relief: Looks like Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama will be on the Texas ballot after all. On Sept. 17, Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr and the Libertarian Party of Texas filed suit against the secretary of state claiming that both party’s presidential candidates had missed the filing deadline, thus effectively handing the election to Barr. The general feeling among many political operatives that this was a stunt, intended to highlight the near-impossibility of ballot access for third parties in Texas, was reinforced when the Texas Supreme Court rejected Barr’s case on Sept. 23. Texas Democratic Party Chair Boyd Richie called the decision “a win for Democrats, Republicans, Indepen­dents, and every Texan who wishes to exercise their right to cast a ballot for the candidate of their choice this November.” alt.metal

This article appears in September 26 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.