The challenge involving the results of the Greenwood City Council Ward 5 election is now before the Mississippi Supreme Court and won’t be heard anytime soon, according to attorney Willie Perkins Sr.
Perkins represents Dorothy “Dot” Glenn, who won the May 7 Democratic primary. Opponent Andrew Powell challenged the results, saying Glenn did not live in the ward, and a special judicial tribunal ruled in June that Glenn was ineligible to serve. However, on July 2, the Mississippi Supreme Court granted Glenn’s request to stay the special tribunal’s ruling. Her election was reinstated, and the runoff between Powell and Norman Smith that had been scheduled for July 16 was blocked.
Glenn is currently serving on the council.
Perkins said transcripts from the judicial tribunal, which was headed by specially appointed judge Henry Lackey, must be received by the court before the case can proceed. Greenwood Election Commissioners Vallrie Dorsey and Tish Goodman also served on the tribunal.
Leflore County Circuit Clerk Elmus Stockstill said submitting the required documents could take a bit longer.
“At this point, we’ve prepared the record,” he said “We’re waiting on the actual transcript from the court reporter, Trudy Quinn. I talked to her this morning. She will be bringing it up on Aug. 26.”
Once that transcript is in hand, Stockstill said, Glenn, Powell and their attorneys will have up to 14 days to review the case file and transcript. “When they review, if they see any corrections that need to be made, they will contact us and the court reporter,” he said.
If there are no problems with the file or the transcript, they will be sent to the clerk of the state’s high court.
Typically, Perkins said, the petitioner (Glenn) and the defendant (Powell) would each be given 30 days to file opening briefs. After that, Perkins said, he would be given a short time to reply to the other side’s arguments.
Even with the lengthy process, Perkins said, “you’re not guaranteed a hearing.”
Jackson attorney James D. Bell, who is representing Powell, did not return messages Thursday.
Glenn contended in her appeal that the special tribunal lacked jurisdiction as to whether she was a qualified candidate.
She also contended that the tribunal had no authority to order a primary runoff between Powell and Smith. If the results of the primary are thrown out, the governor would have to call a special election in which more than just the two losing candidates could qualify.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
