Madison student court ends final appeal in chair election dispute
ASM Chair Haia Al Zein retains her seat after the student judiciary dismissed Rep. Michael Harry's second brief alleging procedural violations.
By Sarah Montgomery ·
Rep. Michael Harry’s bid to overturn the results of the Associated Students of Madison chair election ended on Sept. 29 when the student judiciary dismissed his second petitioner’s brief. The dismissal leaves ASM Chair Haia Al Zein in her position for the remainder of the 33rd session, concluding a legal dispute that began weeks after the April 24 vote.
Harry, a candidate in the spring election, initially challenged the results on April 30 by arguing the vote was invalid. He amended that filing on Sept. 14 to request that alleged violators be barred from future chair races. The Student Judiciary issued an order on Sept. 8 to discuss his first brief as a special item at the Sept. 16 council meeting. That order changed an earlier version issued on April 30.
At the Sept. 16 meeting, council representatives voted against adopting the special order. The motion failed because adoption required a two-thirds majority, and while a simple majority supported the measure, it did not meet the higher threshold. Harry argued in his second brief, filed Sept. 22, that the requirement for a two-thirds majority lacked precedent and that the judiciary mishandled the process.
The second brief also alleged that the Chief Justice misapplied rules during proceedings. Harry claimed meeting rules were broken during the election and that the Chief Justice did not preside. In the dismissal notice, the student judiciary stated that a majority of justices recused themselves from the decision. This group included Chief Justice Chloe Sieman, whose recusal Harry had specifically requested. Because so many justices stepped aside, the body did not assign a full panel to hear the case.
Sieman, Harry, and the student judiciary declined to provide further comment on the brief. Al Zein issued a statement to The Daily Cardinal welcoming the outcome. She said the decision gives her hope for the rest of the session and serves as an opportunity for the council to work more collaboratively.
The dismissal marks the end of Harry’s formal challenges to the election. No further appeals are scheduled, and Al Zein continues to serve as chair of the 33rd session.
