Alabama: Jefferson County may end up with too many commissioners
The Birmingham News reports: Jefferson County residents in District 1 could have two commissioners claiming a right to represent them after Tuesday's election for the commission seat.
The scenario hinges on several variables, including the outcome of the election and the next chapter in a legal battle over whether the seat should be filled by appointment.
But if two people do claim a right to the post, a judge likely would intervene and dictate a temporary resolution, said John Carroll, dean of Samford University's Cumberland School of Law.
"Somebody would go to state court and ask them to jump in, and the state court would have to do something to resolve that on a temporary basis," he said.
The conflict could arise if retired Army Gen. George Bowman, whom Gov. Bob Riley appointed to the seat, loses the election and claims a right to the post by appointment. But that may depend on Riley's next move in the legal challenge to his appointment. -- Jefferson County's District 1: Two commissioners?- al.com
Scott Stantis, the News' editorial cartoonist, has a cartoon on the situation.
Disclosure: Jim Blacksher and I represent Mr, Plump, the plaintiff in the federal suit.