Judge hears challenges to new political parties accused of trying to confuse voters

A judge weighed challenges to two new Nebraska political parties accused of trying to confuse voters.

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Judge hears challenges to new political parties in Nebraska accused of trying to confuse voters

LINCOLN, Neb. —

A district court judge considered challenges to two new Nebraska political parties after both were accused of trying to confuse voters.

Judges have already temporarily blocked the certification of both the America First Party and the Nebraska Working People Party.

Judge Darla Ideus made no final decisions Wednesday, but trials in both cases are set for Monday.

Republicans said the America First Party is a fake party backed by Democrats.

Democrats said the Working People Party is backed by Republicans.

Previous coverage: Judge temporarily blocks America First Party recognition after Nebraska GOP claims voter confusion

Arguments in both cases lasted about 1 hour and 15 minutes in total.

In arguments filed in advance, Republicans highlighted that the America First Party is sponsored by John Cartier, who they call a “known leftist.”

Cartier is also the attorney general of the Omaha Tribe.

While the cases sound similar, the Democratic Party argued they have a stronger case because the party’s name is similar to the Working Families Party — a progressive party not certified in Nebraska.

“That is the case here for my clients, the Working Families Party bears a striking resemblance to Working People Party. So far as I can tell, that’s really not true in the other case,” Chris Dodge, attorney for the Nebraska Democratic Party, said.

“Clearly, the subsection of this statute refers only to parties in existence in Nebraska,” Dallas Jones, attorney for Nebraska Working People Party, said.

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