Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1988

Coleman v. Sequoyah County Election Board

Coleman v. Sequoyah County Election Board
Supreme Court of Oklahoma · Decided September 15, 1988 · Doolin, Hargrave, Hodges, Lavender, Simms, Opala, Wilson, Summers, Kauger
762 P.2d 935; 1988 OK 96; 1988 Okla. LEXIS 108; 1988 WL 98128 (Pacific Reporter, Second Series)

Coleman v. Sequoyah County Election Board

Opinion

*936 ORDER

Original jurisdiction is assumed.

There are no common law pre-election remedies to challenge the qualifications of a candidate for public office. The Legislature has provided in 26 O.S.1981 § 5-118 the exclusive method for a candidate to contest the candidacy of any other candidate. Murphy v. Darnell, 268 P.2d 860 (Okl. 1954). A petition pursuant to § 5-118 must be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. on the second day following the close of the filing period. 26 O.S.1981 § 5-119. A petition for irregularities pursuant to 26 O.S.1981 § 8-120 may not be used by the petitioner as an alternative remedy to 26 O.S.1981 § 5-118. The petitioner’s petition filed three days after the primary election and contesting the candidacy of another candidate for the same office is untimely. 26 O.S.1981 § 5-119. The application for a writ of mandamus and/or prohibition is denied.

DOOLIN, C.J., HARGRAVE, V.C.J., and HODGES, LAVENDER, SIMMS, OPALA, ALMA WILSON and SUMMERS, JJ., concur. KAUGER, J., disqualified.

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