Patrick Roberson, Appellant v. Phillips County Election Commission; Jerome Turner, Johnnie Sumpter — Baker, J…

Summary

Justice Baker's dissent argues that the election statute prohibits a person from running for more than one office within any single governmental category, rather than from running simultaneously for any two state, county, or municipal offices. She reasons that the statute's initial numerical modifier applies across the series of governmental categories and that the lead opinion's contrary reading disregards ordinary grammar and statutory construction principles. Baker would reverse and vacate the circuit court's order. Justice Hoofman, concurring, agreed with affirmance but would have found the statute ambiguous and relied on legislative history and the statute's stated purpose.