Daily Sitka Sentinel

Judge Vacates Order Halting Recall Effort

By BECKY BOHRER
Associated Press
    JUNEAU (AP) — A state court judge Wednesday said he had “inadvertently” put on hold a decision that would have allowed the recall effort against Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy to proceed.
    In a written order Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth in Anchorage said additional briefs were due Thursday.
    Earlier this month, Aarseth said petitions should be issued by Feb. 10, so recall supporters could begin a new signature-gathering phase. He indicated then that he did not intend to halt that process. Then Tuesday, after receiving written arguments from Stand Tall With Mike, a recall opposition group, he issued a decision staying the matter pending resolution of the case in the Alaska Supreme Court.
    Wednesday, he said he “inadvertently” granted the request and vacated Tuesday’s decision. He said he’d received filings opposing a stay and said reply briefs are due Thursday.
    Brewster Jamieson, an attorney for Stand Tall With Mike, said he thinks a stay should be granted and intends to file a response.
    Scott Kendall, an attorney for the Recall Dunleavy group, said Aarseth recognized he made an administrative mistake. Absent a stay by the judge or Alaska Supreme Court, the state Division of Elections is under an order to issue petitions by Feb. 10, Kendall said.