The Florida Supreme Court is expected to rule late Friday on whether Ralph Nader will appear on the November ballot for the Reform Party. During oral arguments earlier this morning, attorneys for the state Democratic party argued that the Reform Party was not a legitimate party under Florida law and should therefore not appear on the ballot, while Reform Party lawyers argued that the party remained legitimate. Watch recorded video of the oral arguments. The court is expected to issue a decision quickly to to meet a state law requirement that absentee ballots be mailed by Saturday.

Republican Sen. John McCain, who also serves as chairman of the unaffiliated Reform Institute for third-party candidates, has said that Nader should be allowed on the ballot. The institute issued a statement Thursday night in which McCain said keeping Nader off the ballot would discourage election participation by those planning to vote for Nader. Read the Institute's press release. Filings in the case are available here. JURIST's Paper Chase has background on the case. Ralph Nader's campaign website has more on his pursuit of ballot access across the country. AP has more.