Connell Foley partner John P. Lacey appeared on behalf of the City of Trenton in the Law Division of the Superior Court on Friday. The issue was whether the elections for Mayor and City Council, which are scheduled to take place May 13th, could go forward despite a mistake in the petition process used by the City Clerk. Because the election is just weeks away, Lacey brought the matter to the court on an emergent basis. One of the candidates sought to delay the election because of the Clerk’s mistake in allowing petitions with fewer signatures than the number required under the correct election statute. Lacey was able to convince the court that, although the mistake in the clerk’s office was serious, the public interest dictated that the mistake be disregarded and that election go forward as planned. The judge agreed, issuing her decision at the end of a 2-hour hearing.
The City retained Connell Foley after its original papers had been rejected by the court. Eight days later, the matter was again heard by the court, this time with Connell Foley as counsel, and a favorable ruling was obtained.
Said Lacey, “We got a terrific result on a matter that was very complex under state law. As a result, the voters will be able to freely exercise their right to vote on May 13th.”