Decisions of the Supreme Court

Case Number

Style of Case

Petition

Response

Decision of the Court

Additional

2008-01

Nov. 5, 2008

Hayes v. Taylor
Shannon Hayes of The University of Memphis vs. Kenneth Taylor as Governor et al

Petitioner claims a decision by the Executive Council to remove her from the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives under Article VI, Section 4, is unconstitutional on various grounds.

The Attorney General argues the Executive Council has broad discretion in removing members, and its action was constitutional regardless of minor defects.

For the Petitioner

The Executive Council failed to exercise due process of law or comply with the Constitution, and its action is unconstitutional. Hayes is reinstated as Speaker.

2009-01

Nov. 15, 2009

Meinel v. Mayes
Matthew Meinel of Vanderbilt University vs. Anne Mayes as Attorney General

Petitioner, a candidate for Secretary of State, claims the election commission appointed by the Attorney General improperly considered write-in votes when deciding that no candidate received a majority in a run-off election, as required by Article V, Section 7 of the Constitution.

The Attorney General declined to defend the case.

For the Petitioner

The run-off election is to be conducted again. The ballot will not have a space for write-in candidates, and write-in votes will not be considered when deciding whether a candidate receives a constitutional majority in a run-off election.

Summaries are for the convenience of the reader and are not conclusive.