By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
Feb. 28, 2011

Michael Fletcher isn’t giving up on running for the 3^rd District City Council seat.

Although Jackson County Judge Ann Mesle ruled that Fletcher didn’t meet the city’s residency requirements, which disqualified him from the race, Fletcher is arguing Mesle didn’t have the authority to make that ruling.

The Missouri Court of Appeals rejected Fletcher’s request to be reinstated on the Feb. 22 election ballot, but Fletcher isn’t giving up.

On Feb. 24, Fletcher filed for an appeal with the Missouri Supreme Court, requesting that Mesle’s ruling be thrown out.

The Missouri Supreme Court denied that request, but said Fletcher can still file a standard appeal.

Although disqualified from the primary election, Fletcher’s name remained on the ballot in the primary election. Due to time constraints, election officials were unable to print new ballots without his name. As a result, Fletcher garnered 34 percent of the vote, while Sharon Sanders Brooks took 38 percent and Jermaine Reed took 28 percent.

If Fletcher’s disqualified status remains, Brooks and Reed will move on to the general election.

Northeast News will continue to keep you updated.