Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader will be making a stop in Ames on Wednesday as part of an concentrated 16-state, 30-city tour.

Nader, who garnered 2.7 percent of the popular vote as the Green Party nominee in 2000, has faced legal challenges in many states — including Iowa — in this year’s attempts to get on the ballot.

In August, Drake University journalism professor Lee Jolliffe challenged a petition attempt to get Nader on the ballot in Iowa. In a 3-0 decision, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, Secretary of State Chet Culver and State Auditor David Vaudt ruled Nader should be on the ballot.

In addition to Iowa Nader has been allowed ballot access in 33 other states.

Nader called efforts to keep him off the ballot “political bigotry.”

“We’re the only Westernized country who has such obstacles to getting on the ballot,” he said. “In other countries, it’s a joke to get on the ballot. Fifty pounds and a few signatures in England.”

In a nation where ballot access laws can vary from as few as 800 to as many as 10,000 required signatures, Nader said, there needs to be one federal standard for access.

Even with access, Nader has faced other difficulties, including a lack of support from former backers, including his 2000 Green Party running mate Winona LaDuke and Iowa Legislator Ed Fallon, D-Des Moines.

In a letter to Nader, Fallon said President Bush was the “Anti-Nader,” but also begged Nader not to run.

“For the restoration of sound budgeting practices, respect among the community of nations and a national agenda that doesn’t seek to destroy much of what you have fought for, George Bush must be defeated,” Fallon wrote. “Like it or not, the only man who can do this is John Kerry. Like it or not, your entry into the race only weakens Kerry’s chances.”

Who: Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader

Where: Great Hall of the Memorial Union

When: 2:15 p.m. Wednesday