holding that a state court has no jurisdiction to hear an election which is contested by an unverified complaint
How later courts described this case
- holding that a state court has no jurisdiction to hear an election which is contested by an unverified complaint
- constitution imposes strict jurisdictional limitations on timing because of the need for finality in election contests
- “In election contests there must be finality ***.”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
Mr. Justice Klingbiel delivered the opinion of the court:
On November 6, 1958, certain residents of Community High School District No. 88, Washington County, filed a petition in the circuit court to contest an election at which the proposition was approved to build an addition on the high school and issue bonds in the amount of $300,000. The petition was not verifiedand upon defendant’s motion the proceeding was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, on December 8, 1958. Plaintiffs thereafter, on December 26, 1958, sought leave to. amend, accompanying their motion with a form of jurat to be made part of the petition. The motion was overruled, and plaintiffs appeal.
To reverse tbe order plaintiffs present, under the heading “Points and Authorities,” a number of quotations. No argument is made, other than a general statement that defendant’s contentions in the trial court do violence to the law. We think the circuit court was correct in overruling the motion to amend. An election contest is a statutory proceeding, and the procedure prescribed therefor must be strictly followed. (Girhard v. Vost, 344 Ill. 483 .) It has been said that “the requirement that the person desiring to contest an election shall file a statement, verified by affidavit, is jurisdictional, and if . the'statement is not sworn to . the court has no jurisdiction of the cause.” Flake v. Pretzel, 381 Ill. 498, 501 .
By the requirements of sections 23 — 20 and 23 — 24 of .the Election Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1957, chap. 46, pars. 23 — 20 and 23 — 24,) the procedures of which are made applicable to school elections by section gA — 20 of the School Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1957, chap. 122, par. 5A — 20,) the petition must be verified and it must be filed within 30 days after the result of the election has been determined. In the present case no verification appeared, the 30-day period had expired before motion to amend was made, and the order dismissing the petition had already been rendered.
In election contests there must be finality and to this end the legislature added the provision making the verification. of the petition a jurisdictional requirement.
The orders of the circuit court dismissing the petition and denying leave to amend are affirmed.
Orders affirmed,