Eric Hafner will appear on the ballot alongside Democrat Mary Peltola, Republican Nick Begich and the Alaskan Independence Party’s John Wayne Howe.
The Alaska Supreme Court has affirmed the U.S. House candidacy of Eric Hafner , a Democrat imprisoned in New York state., upheld Anchorage Superior Court Judge Ian Wheeles’ decision to dismiss a lawsuit by the Alaska Democratic Party that had challenged Hafner’s eligibility.
“We would just thank the Supreme Court for issuing a decision on such short notice and preventing any disruption to the election,” said Solicitor General Jessie Alloway, assistant attorney general Thomas Flynn and assistant attorney general Kate Demarest, who opposed the lawsuit on behalf of the Alaska Division of Elections.
The court heard oral arguments Thursday morning and issued a summary decision hours later, stating that the lower court decision was correct. A full legal opinion will be published at a later date.“Unsurprisingly, the Alaska Republican Party publicly supports the decision that a convicted felon who is running his campaign from a prison cell in New York should appear on Alaska’s ballot as a candidate for federal office,” said Mike Wenstrup, Chair.
Wheeles addressed and rejected that argument, noting that Alaska’s ranked choice general election allows voters to list multiple preferred options, and any voter who lists Hafner alone is making a deliberate choice. Both said that the language of surrounding law, plus existing case law, makes it clear that the intent of the law is to allow the division of elections to fill the “final four.”
Politics 2024 Alaska Election 2024 U.S. House Race Alaska Democratic Party Alaskan Independence Party Eric Hafner John Wayne Howe Mary Peltola Nick Begich
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alaska Supreme Court affirms Ranked-Choice decision made by superior courtThe Alaska Supreme Court has affirmed a previous decision made by lower courts to let a ballot measure to repeal Ranked-Choice voting remain on the ballot.
Read more »
Alaska Supreme Court upholds ranked choice repeal initiative, now bound for November voteBallot Measure 2 would end ranked choice voting and the state’s open primary election system.
Read more »
Alaska Supreme Court considers legal challenge to imprisoned out-of-state Democrat’s U.S. House runThe Alaska Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Thursday morning in a lawsuit seeking to remove Eric Hafner, an imprisoned, out-of-state Democrat, from the state’s November election ballot.
Read more »
Alaska Supreme Court to rule on whether incarcerated candidate can appear on U.S. House ballotThe Alaska Supreme Court will decide whether Eric Hafner, a Democrat serving a 20-year prison sentence in New York, can remain on Alaska’s ballot.
Read more »
Alaska Supreme Court considers legal challenge to imprisoned out-of-state Democrat’s U.S. House runA lower court dismissed the Alaska Democratic Party's lawsuit on Tuesday, but the party was granted an emergency appeal.
Read more »
Repeal of ranked-choice voting to appear on November ballot, Alaska Supreme Court rulesThe Alaska Supreme Court confirmed that a measure to repeal the state’s open primary and ranked-choice general election system to remain on the November ballot.
Read more »