Notice of lawsuit (Northeast Region)

[Insula Dei]

So, being the CJO, I just post my judgement here?

In that case I'll uphold the election result on the following grounds:

a) The Law clearly states: ' The appropriate official shall place the names of all candidates who declare their intention to run in the special election on the Candidate Declaration Thread before 12:00 midnight Eastern time on the Thursday before the poll opens.' A condition clearly fulfilled by Alfred F. Jones. Nowhere in the law is there any explicit mention of a limit on the earliest moment in time one can declare one's candidacy for an election.

b) Even if Alfred F. Jones's candidacy were to have been not valid on the basis of his declaration of intent, there's still, as he himself has pointed out, the fact that he should be considered to have 'written-in' himself, thus making himself eligible to receive votes and be elected.

c) The court furthemore would like the opportunity to point out that it agrees with the plaintiff that there is something not kosher about declaring one's intent to run for a seat that is as of yet not vacant, but that it has no choice but to adhere to the letter of the law in this matter. As the law currently is the court will uphold all election results challenged on similar grounds and strike down all special elections where a candidate that had declared his intent to run  was not included on the ballot. A scenario thus becomed thinkable where a candidate X declaring his intent to run for assemblyman Y's seat, even if Y hasn't been elected to the assembly as of yet, would still in any future election caused by Y standing down from or otherwise leaving the assembly, have to be included on the ballot .

The Court recognizes that this would be an absurdity, but it is of the opinion that the avoidance of legal absurdities is the role of the legislative branch.