Former Iowa Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer will not be allowed on the state’s ballot as a U.S. Senate candidate after a state judge ruled she failed to meet the state’s signature requirement.

“Polk County District Judge Scott Beattie threw out three signatures that dropped Finkenauer below a requirement that candidates submit 100 signatures from 19 counties. Although Finkenauer may appeal the ruling, the Iowa Secretary of State has said she must do so before April 15, the Des Moines Register reported,” the Daily Caller reported.

“Substantially complied” with the law. Glad the judge ruled otherwise.

Democratic Senate Candidate Abby Finkenauer Kicked Off Ballot Over Signature Requirement https://t.co/1Xy7nEH4zX via @dailycaller

— R T (GETTR as @rickcav) (@RDog861) April 11, 2022

The matter is urgent, as absentee voting starts in Iowa on May 18, with the state’s primary held on June 7.

An appeal to the state’s Supreme Court is expected, however, as Finkenauer seeks to face off against current Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley.

NEW: Former congresswoman Abby Finkenauer cannot appear on Iowa’s June 7 Democrat primary ballot for U.S. Senate. A judge ruled yesterday she failed to meet the legal signature requirement. Appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court expected.

— Jeff Stein (@iowapolitics) April 11, 2022

Finkenauer served in the House for Iowa from 2019-to 2021, losing to Republican Ashley Hinson in the following election.

The new battle shows she faces a serious challenge to even be on the ballot for a Senate run, as well as a difficult run even if she does win an appeal.