Alabama: state supreme courts backs gubernatorial appointment -- at least till November
The Alabama Supreme Court decided today that it was completely legal for Gov. Riley to make an appointment to fill a vacancy on the Jefferson County Commission. Thus, Commissioner George Bowman will serve until his successor is elected in November. The Supreme Court leaves it up to the Circuit Court to figure out how the political parties are going to nominate candidates.
The decision in Working v. Jefferson County Commission is here.
Disclosure: James Blacksher and I represent Fred Plump, one of the parties who argued against the right of the Governor to appoint at all.
Update: The Birmingham News story is here.