Judge Rules Against MD Gubernatorial Candidate's Suit

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The June 26 Democratic primary for Maryland gubernatorial race will not list Valerie Ervin as a candidate for governor, according to reports. Ervin, once running as lieutenant governor for Kevin Kamenetz until he died suddenly last month, has taken the reins as a candidate for governor.

A judge ruled, however, that there is not enough time before the primary to update the ballot. An AP report says Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge William Mulford made the decision Monday, saying he was sympathetic to Ervin's situation, but that the Board of Elections' decision not to make new ballots was "reasonable."

Democratic primary early voting runs from June 14 to June 21, and the primary is on June 26. The winner will go on to challenge Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

The AP reported Mulford's decision partially came from 13 of the state's 24 jurisdictions saying they wouldn't be able to get the election equipment ready and tested in time for early voting.

Ervin's attorney, Mariana Cordier, questioned why "uncertified" ballot paper could not be used to reprint the ballots, but election officials said the company contracted to provide paper said its paper is specific to the state's voting machines, which operate on an optical scanner.

But Cordier said the paper "is not all that special," citing an expert on the topic who said there are other sources for the paper. Mulford said, however, that the paper would need to be tested, and that would take too much time.

"It affects the integrity of an election if the voters are not aware of or do not have accurate information as to who they can vote for — who they can ultimately choose," Cordier said, according to WTOP.

Mulford wished Ervin luck in the election, but said “I just can’t imagine turning this election upside down,” to her attorney, according to the AP.

See more: Valerie Ervin To Replace Running Mate Kamenetz In Governor's Race

Article image Courtesy of Valerie Ervin Campaign