CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Kanawha Circuit Judge Charles King ruled Thursday that Erik Wells cannot appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot for county clerk.
Wells, who is a registered Democrat, was aiming to run as an independent candidate against incumbent Vera McCormick.
“I am very grateful for Judge King’s prompt decision on this matter,” McCormick said in a statement. “I have had considerable experience in election matters and I believe Judge King’s ruling is not only correct, but the right thing to do.Should my opponent decide to appeal this decision, which is his right, I hope he will not ask the tax payers to pay for his appeal in this matter.”
Wells does have the option to appeal to the state Supreme Court, which he said he plans to do.
Because the ballot must be finalized soon, McCormick said she would call for a meeting of the Board of Ballot Commissioners early next week to “review the current situation and proceed with the process of preparing the ballot for printing.”