FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Contact:  Kristen Schulze Muszynski
207-626-8400/ 207-441-7638

Secretary Dunlap schedules hearings for candidate petition challenges

AUGUSTA – Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap has scheduled challenge hearings this week to address challenges of candidate nomination petitions received by the Elections Division of the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions last week.

Secretary Dunlap is required by law to hold a hearing on any valid challenge within 7 days of the filing deadline (Thursday, March 22) and issue a ruling within 5 days thereafter. The ruling will determine whether the candidate will be disqualified from appearing on the June 12, 2018 Primary Election ballot.

All three hearings are scheduled on Thursday, March 29, 2018 in Conference Room 300, on the third floor of the Cross State Office Building in Augusta.

• 10:30 a.m.: Challenge of the petitions of Max Linn, candidate for U.S. Senate, submitted on behalf of David Boyer and the Eric Brakey for Senate campaign. The hearing officer will be Secretary Dunlap.
  
  
• 1 p.m.: Challenge of the petitions of Eric Brakey, candidate for U.S. Senate, submitted by Brad Littlefield, resident. The hearing officer will be Director of Elections Melissa Packard.
  
  
• 3 p.m.: Challenge of the petitions of Cody Blackburn, candidate for House District 125, submitted by Susan Thibodeau, district resident. The hearing officer will be Director of Elections Melissa Packard.

Secretary Dunlap will announce the results of each challenge hearing within five days of the hearing. A challenger or a candidate may appeal the decision of the Secretary of State by commencing an action in the Superior Court within five days of the decision.