Libertarian ticket blocked from November ballot after court rejects challenge

The legal path for Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Nicholas Gluba and lieutenant governor running mate Jules Cutler to appear on the November ballot ended when a Polk County judge upheld their removal following a dispute over a missing document.

The challenge began June 15, 2026, when the Iowa State Objection Panel voted to strike Gluba and Cutler from the ballot. The panel found that Cutler had not filed a sworn affidavit of candidacy. That hearing took place at 2:45 p.m. in Room 19 of the Iowa State Capitol, as scheduled under Section 43.24 of the state code.

Because Auditor Rob Sand is running for governor as a Democrat, he recused himself from the panel. Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig took his place alongside Attorney General Brenna Bird and Secretary of State Paul Pate.

Gluba and Cutler challenged the panel's decision in Polk County District Court, leading to an evidentiary hearing held July 21, 2026, before Judge Joseph Seidlin. During the hearing, Cutler testified that she had prepared the correct paperwork and stated that a staff member in the Secretary of State's office told her the affidavit was unnecessary.

In his July 27, 2026, ruling, Seidlin wrote that the vacancy-filling process is separate from the objection proceeding and that the court should not issue advisory opinions on matters not before it. The judge noted that Gluba could remain on the ballot by replacing Cutler, but stated that the decision was not his to make.

The ruling leaves Republican Zach Lahn and Democrat Rob Sand as the candidates on the November ballot. Gluba said he is weighing an appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court, and his supporters have raised the possibility of a write-in effort.