Another group hired lawyers to challenge those same ballot petitions, which have to meet strict election-board standards.

Ms. Kramer denied those charges, saying that she had had the ballot petitions of all the candidates checked, a common step in political campaigns.

He is supported by many neighborhood residents who share those views, and have helped him raise money and gather ballot petitions.

At least three votes were needed to invalidate the ballot petitions.

In April, 2008, a Colorado group sued, claiming that over 69,000 signatures on the ballot petition were invalid.

John McCain ran banners soliciting volunteers to circulate ballot petitions for him in Virginia last month.

Ms. Kramer has denied those charges, saying she had the ballot petitions of all the candidates checked.

The state Republican Party has among the nation's most arcane rules for preparing ballot petitions.

McCotter's campaign released a statement on May 25, 2012 conceding that there were not enough valid signatures turned in with his ballot petition.

My husband and my daughter and I stood on the corner to get people to sign his ballot petitions.