Oregon Public Broadcasting

Two of Oregon's minor political parties want their full names to appear next to their candidates on the November ballot. They're suing Secretary of State Kate Brown.

The state is planning to use a three letter abbreviation for each party.

Attorney Dan Meek is representing the Progressive Party. He says the abbreviations work in favor of the large parties.

Dan Meek: "People are going to know what DEM means, it means democrat. People probably know what REP means, it means republican. But for example the average person looks at the ballot and sees that someone is associated with the LBT party. What's that. It kind of sounds like a lettuce, bacon, and tomato sandwich."

Meek says he expects the courts to move quickly on the case because ballots will be printed in late September.

The Working Families Party and Republican State Senator Larry George are also plaintiffs in the suit.

A spokesman for the Secretary of State said he could not comment due to the pending litigation.