Opinion
No. 968A163.
Filed December 26, 1968.
MANDAMUS — Moot Issues — Dismissal. — Where an action is brought to compel the Indiana State Election Board to place the name of the complaining party on the ballot for the General Election, and such election is held before the issues are determined, said issues are moot and the action will be dismissed.
On Transfer from the Appellate Court of Indiana.
Plaintiffs below, Achilles Angelicchio and Everett L. West, instituted this action against Defendant, Indiana State Election Board, seeking a Writ of Mandate to compel the Defendants to place the name of Everett L. West on the ballot for the office of Judge of the Indiana Supreme Court. The cause was removed from the Marion Superior Court to the Appellate Court of Indiana where said court was equally divided as to issue of a permanent Writ of Mandate. Thereafter, the cause came to the Supreme Court for final determination.
Dismissed.
Charles G. Castor, Indianapolis, Hansford Mann, Terre Haute, for plaintiff.
John J. Dillon, Attorney General, Charles S. White, Chief Counsel, Office of Attorney General, for defendant.
The cause was instituted originally in the Superior Court of Marion County, Indiana, in which the Plaintiffs Below sought a Writ of Mandate to compel the Defendants to place the name of Everett L. West on the ballot for the General Election to be held November 5, 1968, for the office to be filled as Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana, Judicial District No. 4.
Thereafter, the Attorney General of Indiana removed the cause of action to the Appellate Court of Indiana pursuant to Burns,' § 3-2121 through § 3-2131.
Thereafter, the Appellate Court of Indiana held a hearing by the full court thereof and five Judges of said court failing to vote to continue the temporary mandate, the same was dissolved.
The Appellate Court was equally divided as to the issue of a permanent writ of mandate, and this cause came on to the Supreme Court of Indiana for final determination.
The election was held on November 5, 1968, and all matters covered by the issues herein are therefore moot.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED by the Supreme Court of Indiana that all matters herein are moot and this cause is dismissed.
The costs herein are taxed against the petitioner.
Arterburn, Hunter and Jackson, JJ., concur; DeBruler, J., not participating.
NOTE. — Reported in 242 N.E.2d 635.