Incumbent Jefferson County Treasurer Eyrika Parker and Democratic primary challenger Mara Ruffin Allen filed lawsuits last week after being kicked off the 2024 ballot.
Thirteen Jefferson County Democrats were disqualified in late December from appearing on the primary ballot in March. Republican Party officials said in December, about 18 Republican candidates statewide were disqualified from ballot access for also allegedly not turning in their SEI forms.
The Alabama Ethics Commission's disqualifications were primarily due to candidates allegedly not turning in their Statement of Economic Interests (SEI) within five days of qualifying as required by law.
Allen named Jefferson County Probate Judge James Naftel, Jefferson County Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Rogers, and Alabama Ethics Commission Director Tom Albritton as defendants in her lawsuit.
"Because the March 5, 2023 ballots are set to be printed January 9, 2024, and there is currently no qualified candidate set to be placed on the March 5, 2023 ballot for this office, it is necessary for the Plaintiff to seek immediate relief from the Court to protect her First Amendment rights and the rights of those people who have a right to choose a nominee for Jefferson County Treasurer," Allen's attorney Jacquese Antoinette Gary said in a lawsuit filed last week.
Gary alleges Rogers didn't submit Allen's declaration of candidacy to the Alabama Ethics Commission within five days of her qualifying with the Democratic Party on October 17. Gary also argues the Alabama Ethics Commission should've notified Allen of her failure to file the SEI within five days after qualifying and given Allen another 10 days to file the report.
"The Ethics Commission simply never gave her notice of its position that she had failed to comply," Gary said in the lawsuit.
SEI forms are public filings that require candidates and elected officials to list their and their family's sources of income.
Hearings on the lawsuits are scheduled for Wednesday at the Montgomery County Courthouse.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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