Friday, December 03, 2010
Supreme Court Consolidates Gubernatorial Election Cases
WEST VIRGINIA....
The West Virginia Supreme Court agreed Friday to consolidate two cases seeking a special gubernatorial election in 2011. The West Virginia Citizen Action Group filed the first case, and South Charleston resident Thornton Cooper filed the second. The cases name Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, House Speaker Rick Thompson and Secretary of State Natalie Tennant as defendants. Gubernatorial succession is before the court because legislative lawyers have concluded that relevant state law won't allow for an election before November 2012, when the office is already on the ballot for a full four-year term. Questions at issue include does the West Virginia Constitution require a special election if a vacancy in the governor's office occurs during the first three years of the term and does the state's law dealing with succession violate the constitution. A December 27th deadline has been set for all parties to respond to both cases.
The West Virginia Supreme Court agreed Friday to consolidate two cases seeking a special gubernatorial election in 2011. The West Virginia Citizen Action Group filed the first case, and South Charleston resident Thornton Cooper filed the second. The cases name Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, House Speaker Rick Thompson and Secretary of State Natalie Tennant as defendants. Gubernatorial succession is before the court because legislative lawyers have concluded that relevant state law won't allow for an election before November 2012, when the office is already on the ballot for a full four-year term. Questions at issue include does the West Virginia Constitution require a special election if a vacancy in the governor's office occurs during the first three years of the term and does the state's law dealing with succession violate the constitution. A December 27th deadline has been set for all parties to respond to both cases.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:16 PM 
