Published: September 28, 2006 11:10 am      

State appealing Ridlen decision on Leo Burns

The candidacy of a Cass Circuit Court candidate is on hold again.

Attorneys with the Indiana Election Division of the Secretary of State’s Office have filed an action with the Indiana Court of Appeals to stay a decision by Cass Circuit Judge Julian Ridlen. Last Friday, Ridlen issued a permanent injunction to place Leo Burns on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Burns said Wednesday he will have no comment on the case. His attorneys, Jim Austen and Courtney Justice, are asking for a ruling to allow Burns’ name to be placed on absentee ballots which will soon be distributed overseas and by mail in the United States.

Burns, who was selected to fill the vacancy on the November ballot after the May primary, was not certified by the state because Democrat County Chair Matt Meagher did not file one of the notices necessary to place his name on the ballot. Meagher has taken full responsibility for the filing error.