Alabama: GOP claims not filing to run is just a "technicality"
A Birmingham News report begins: The Jefferson County Republican Party asked a judge Wednesday to include Andrew Smith's name on the November ballot for the unexpired assistant tax assessor's term in Bessemer although Smith didn't qualify for the spot.
The party is seeking to overturn a decision made in July by Jefferson County Probate Judge Alan King who determined that Smith's name could not be added to the ballot because he missed the qualifying deadline. Smith qualified to run only for the full term. Only Democrat Ron Yarbrough qualified to run for the unexpired term.
Bessemer Division Circuit Judge Eugene Verin said he would issue an order by Tuesday.
In a hearing before Verin, Republican Party lawyer Greg Cook said a technicality is keeping Smith's name off the ballot for the unexpired term and that miscommunication between Smith and the party "should not override the right of voters to have a choice." -- Jefferson County Republicans still push for Andrew Smith name on tax post ballot - al.com