Court Opinion

ID: 6739469
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 23:20:51.274158+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:54.867362
License: Public Domain

Christianson, Ch. J.
(concurring specially). I agree with Mr. Justice Robinson that the notice of contest herein was not served in time. The election was held March 6, 1920, the notice of contest was served *177April 9, 1920. Appellants assert that they are entitled to maintain this contest under the provisions of §§ 1046 — 1058, and 943, Compiled Laws 1913. Section 1046, supra, provides: “Any person claiming the right to hold an office, or any elector of the proper county desiring to contest the validity of an election or the right of any person declared duly elected to any office in such county, shall give notice thereof, in writing to the person whose election ho intends to contest within twenty days after the canvass of the votes of such election, Avhieh notice shall be served in the same manner as a summons in a civil action.” It is conceded that the notice of contest heroin Avas not served Avithin the time prescribed by § 1046, supra. But appellants contend that § 1046 has been amended, and that the time in Avhieh to serve notice of contest has been extended to forty days, by § 943, Comp. Laws 1913, which reads: “Any action to contest the right of any person declared elected to any office, or to annul and set aside such election, or to remove from or deprive any person of an office of Avhieh ho is the incumbent for any offense mentioned in this article must, uidcss a different time be stated, be commenced within forty days (40) after the return of the election at which such offense was committed, unless the ground of the action or the proceeding is for illegal payment of money or other valuable things subsequent to the filing of the statements prescribed by this article, in which case the action or the proceeding may be commenced within forty (40) days after the discovery by the complainant of such illegal payment.” It is true § 943 is a later enactment than § 1046, but from that-it.by no means follows that it operated as a repeal of any of the provisions of § 1046.
It is presumed that all laws are passed with a knowledge of those already existing, and that the legislature does not intend to repeal a statute without so declaring. Lewis’s Sutherland, Stat. Constr. 2d ed. § 267. “A later and an older statute will, if it is possible and reasonable to do so, be always construed together, so as to give effect not only to the distinct parts or provisions of the latter, not inconsistent with the neAv laAV, but to give effect to the older law as a whole, subject only to restrictions or modifications of its meaning, when such seems to liaA'e been the legislative purpose.” Lcavís’s Sutherland, Stat. Constr. 2d cd. § 247. An implied repeal on the ground of repugnancy will not result in any case unless both the object and the subject of the statutes are the same. 26 *178Am. & Eng. Enc. Law p. 727. “A subsequent statute which institutes new methods- of proceeding does not, without negative words, repeal a former statute relative to procedure.” Lewis’s Sutherland, Stat. Constr. 2d ed. § 260.
.Section 943, supra, was embodied in and a part of the Corrupt Practice Act of this state. It ivas not the purpose of that act to prescribe the procedure in election contests. The purpose of that act — (as stated in the title) — was “to secure the purity of elections, limit candidates’ election expenses, to define, prevent and punish corrupt and illegal practices in nominations and elections, to provide for furnishing im formation to the electors; and to provide a penalty for the violation” thereof. It will be noted that section 943 by its terms is’ restricted to actions brought to contest, or to annul and vacate, elections for violations of the Corrupt Practice Act. It does not purport to relate to, or to affect or alter the procedure applicable in, election contests instituted under the provisions of §§ 1046-1058, Comp. Laws 1913. In my opinion a party desiring to institute a contest under the provisions of § 1046, must serve the notice of contest within the time fixed in that section. And the institution of the proceeding within the time so provided is an essential element of the right to maintain the proceeding at all. Walton v. Olson, 40 N. D. 571, 170 N. W. 110. It clearly appears that this proceeding was not instituted within the time prescribed, and hence the trial court properly ordered a dismissal.
I express no opinion as to whether the notice stated facts sufficient to constitute grounds for a contest; or as to whether an election for the construction of a school house is subject to contest.
Bronson and Birdzeln, JJ., concur.