Hearing Set For Friday To See If Nader Can Stay On Arkansas Ballot

A hearing is scheduled for Friday on whether Ralph Nader`s name should be on Arkansas` ballot on Election Day. The state Democratic Party filed a lawsuit last week accusing the Secretary of State`s office of improperly validating names listed on a petition to place Nader`s name on the ballot. Secretary of State Charlie Daniels said his office properly certified names on the nominating petitions. It is believed that Nader might pull votes away from Democratic Party presidential nominee John Kerry. Many believe that Nader`s appearance on the Florida ballot in 2000 pulled votes from Democrat Al Gore, who lost the state and the presidency. Friday`s hearing will be before Pulaski County Circuit Judge Timothy Fox. Elections issues are heard in Pulaski County because state government is based here and Daniels was sued because he is Arkansas` chief elections officer. To qualify for the Arkansas ballot, Nader had to submit the signatures of one thousand registered voters. Democrats say 245 names on the petitions were not adequately verified and that some were "clearly forged." In papers filed yesterday, Daniels denied allegations that his office could not reliably verify the signatures.