A Fargo man who ran as an independent for Governor in 2012 wants the state Supreme Court to nullify the results of the 2012 election.
More from Prairie Public’s Dave Thompson.
Paul Sorum says Jack Dalrymple did not qualify to be on the primary ballot – so he is not qualified to hold that office. Sorum says state election statutes require the party-endorsed candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor to file on the same form. He told the court Dalrymple and Lieutenant Governor Drew Wrigley filed separate forms – and that violated the election statutes.
"These election statutes are put in place to facilitate the requirement of a joint ballot," Sorum told the Court. "They did not fulfill those, and are not qualified to be on the ballot, and therefore, were not duly elected."
Sorum says the Democratic candidates did the same thing – and should not be elected, either.
Assistant Attorney General Douglas Bahr argues the qualifications for holding the office of Governor are spelled out in the state Constitution – not in state statute.
"Mr. Sorum is asking the Court to disenfranchise the votes of the people of North Dakota because of one sheet of paper," Bahr told the Court. "We submit that is contrary to case law and common sense."
The Supreme Court has taken the case under advisement.
