Peter Bee wants state law on ballots nixed

Nassau Republican lawyer Peter Bee calls it unfair and possibly unconstitutional for state law to bar candidates' names from appearing on more than two party lines on one ballot. Bee's request for an order halting the practice was denied Friday in federal district court but Judge Joseph Bianco ordered the issue argued Sept. 26.

Bee says minor parties are disadvantaged: "Why should these candidates have less [space] on the ballot than the others?" Bee's opponent, Democratic lawyer Steven Schlesinger, said: "These smaller parties, like the Tax Revolt Party, are wholly controlled by the Republicans" who expect voters to be "affected by the number of endorsements a candidate has on the ballot."-- Sid Cassese