After about an hour and a half of deliberation, Judge Gary Oxenhandler has retired to his chambers to render a decision on Jerry Wilkerson's eligibility as a write-in candidate for the Auxvasse Board of Aldermen.
The court held a special hearing today after Wilkerson filed a complaint that he was unfairly excluded as a write-in candidate. The city of Auxvasse alleges that Wilkerson has a number of unpaid utility fees, which prevent him from running for office. Wilkerson argued that his fees are paid.
Oxenhandler is expected to render a decision soon so County Clerk Denise Hubbard can inform election judges whether to count write-in votes for Wilkerson, who vies for Stephanie Leverett's
The county also requested clarification on whether WIlkerson can run as a convicted felon. Hubbard had originally allowed Wilkerson to file despite his felon status due to a state law that allows felons to run in certain cities at the board of aldermen level, but Hubbard requested a ruling after learning of conflicting interpretations of the law at the circuit court level throughout the state.
Follow the Fulton Sun for updates once a decision is announced.