In Re Nomination Papers of Rogers

OPINION BY

President Judge COLINS.

Carl Romanelli, Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate, (Candidate) has filed a “Motion for Emergency Relief to Correct the Number of Signatures Required for a Minor Party Candidate for the United States Senate in 2006.” The issue raised appears to be one of first impression in Pennsylvania and of considerable importance to the parties in this case as well as future independent or third-party candidates for office.

Section 912.1 of the Election Code, Act of June 3, 1938, P.L. 1333, as amended, 25 P.S. § 2872.1, requires that a petition for nomination at a party…