Opinion ID: 1383042
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Initial Action

Text: One month before the governor signed Act. No. 144 into law, eight Citadel alumni, including Corry and Sachs, brought this action against the Association, the President of the Association, the Executive Director of the Association, members of the Election Committee, and Scarborough. The plaintiffs sought 1) a declaratory judgment that, due to his age, Scarborough was not qualified to run for the Board seat, the filing period was closed, and Corry and Sachs were the only qualified nominees; 2) a writ of mandamus ordering the Association to proceed with the election for the term commencing July 1, 1997; and 3) an injunction to require the Election Committee to conduct the election with only Corry and Sachs' names on the ballot. Scarborough counterclaimed, arguing the statutory age restriction violated the equal protection provision of the United States Constitution. The trial court conducted a hearing on June 18, 1997, and issued its order on June 25, 1997, declining to issue the writ of mandamus. The court, however, issued a declaratory judgment, holding the election invalid since the Association President did not certify the results to the Secretary of State as required by the statute. As part of its declaratory judgment, the trial court ordered the Association to conduct an election ... open to all candidates who are nominated in accordance with the usual procedures of the Association, within 180 days. Based on its holding, the court concluded it need not determine whether § 59-121-30 violated equal protection. Both Appellants/Respondents (hereafter referred to as Corry and Sachs) and Respondent/Appellant (hereafter referred to as Scarborough) appeal.