Student court ends final fight over ASM chair election
A majority of justices recused themselves, preventing the body from ruling on the last challenge to the April vote.
By Sakura Novak ·
The Associated Students of Madison student judiciary has closed its review of the spring chair election dispute.
On Sept. 29, the body dismissed a second brief filed by Rep. Michael Harry. Harry lost the April 24 election for the 33rd session chair. He first challenged the results on April 30. He amended that filing on Sept. 14. His second brief arrived on Sept. 22. It claimed the court mishandled his first submission. It also alleged the Chief Justice misapplied rules during proceedings.
The dispute hinges on a procedural vote. On Sept. 8, the judiciary issued an order to discuss Harry’s initial brief as a special order. That meeting took place on Sept. 16. ASM representatives voted against adopting the order. The vote required a two-thirds majority. A majority voted in favor, but the count fell short of the threshold. Had the motion passed, the council could have re-elected the chair by a simple majority.
Harry’s second brief argued that the two-thirds requirement had no precedent. He also claimed meeting rules were broken during the election. He stated that the Chief Justice did not preside over the vote.
The dismissal notice explains that a majority of student justices recused themselves. Chief Justice Chloe Sieman was among them. Harry had requested her recusal. Because so many justices stepped aside, the judiciary did not assign a full panel to hear the case.
ASM Chair Haia Al Zein released a statement welcoming the decision. She said the ruling gives her hope for the remainder of the 33rd session. She expressed hope that it allows the council to work more collaboratively and move forward in greater unity.
Sieman, Harry, and the student judiciary all declined to provide further comment on the brief.
