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IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT O PENNSYLVANIA In Re: Barack Hussein barna, II Aka Barack Hussein Obama, Aka Barack H. Obama, Objection of: Charles F. Kerchner, Jr.: end Dale A. L.auclensiager OLD-LA
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NOW, March 2, 2012, after hearing on objectors' petition to set aside nomination petition, and following argument on Candidate's motion to dismiss, the motion to dismiss Is granted,
As set forth in the Pennsylvania Election Code (Code), Act of June 3, 1937, P.L. 1333, 11 amenglel, 25 P.S. 2600-3591, and case law interpreting it, objectors can seek to set aside a candidate's nomination petition by; (1) challenging Incilvidual signatures on the nomination petition pursuant to Section 908 of the Code, 25 P.S. 2868; (2) challenging e
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Article II, Section I of the United States Constitution. rri ore Nomination pitition pf Jones, 505 Pa, 50, 476 Ald 1287 (1984), our Supreme Court concluded the Pennsylvania Constitution did not confer jurisdiction to courts of this Commonwealth to determine the qualifications of a candidate.' We
in tole regard, tie Court opined;
The rule of nonjusticiaOility in this area Is not to be construed as an aegoiute erehibittom against judicial consideretion of the constitutional qualifications of one deeming en offes.
951 of the Code, 25 PS, 4 2870 and 2911(e); and (4) challenging the candidate's statement of financial interest under the Puditc Official and Employees Ethics Act, 65 Pa, C.5. 11.01-1113. Presently, Objectors have flied a challenge to Candidate's
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circulator's affidavit pursuant to Section 909 of the Eiecton Code, 25 P.S, 280; (3) challenging a candidate's affidavit pursuant to Sections 910 and
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Kerchner & Laudenslager v Obama -- Order of the Commonwealth Court of PA Copy provided courtesy of: http://www.ProtectOurLiberty.org
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believe such a conclusion to equally applicable to objections involving the United States Constitution. As noted above, this Court has, nevertheless, entertained objections to a candidate's qualifications for office in those Instances where the affidavit of the candidate has been challenged. Ste in_neillaaillatiilla r flettigngf Ploci, 711 A.2d 1046 (Pa. Cmwith. 1998), Stated another way, in the context of objections to nomination petitions where objectors assert a global challenge to a candidate's Qualifications to hold office, this Court can only reach the issue of the candidate's qualifications where a challenge to
filed by candidates, but the post office address of such candidate shall be stated In such nomination petition." it follows that because Candidate in this
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Manifestly, the court has jurisdiction to entertain a claim of en elected prospective office holder that his or her right to sit has been unconstitutionally denied. However, a right to intervene in that situation does not flow from the constitutional section setting forth tna ouciireatione, taut remir from our wel; recognized Jurisdiction to intervene when triers is en allegation of an infringement of constitutional rights. , The consideration of the qualifications as set forth by the constitutional mandate !s merely tangential to the underlying inquiry, Additionally, the rorneCy of quo warrento is available to test en individual's right to hold a public office,
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action was not required to file a candidate's affidavit, this Court is without jurisdiction to entertain Objectors' challenge to his perce:ved Ineligibility for office.
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of the Code, 25 P.S. 2870, explicitly excludes oresicential candidates from the affidavit requirement stating In pertinent part, In tne case of a candidate for nomination as President of the United States, it shall not be necessary for such candidate to file the affidavit required In this section to be
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the candidate's affidavit Is implicated. In this case, Candidate has filed a nomination petition seeking the nomination for the office of President of the United States. Section 910
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Kerchner & Laudenslager v Obama -- Order of the Commonwealth Court of PA Copy provided courtesy of: http://www.ProtectOurLiberty.org
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For these reasons, we grant Candidate's motion and dismiss this action with prejudice.
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