Incumbent Governor Ordered to Leave Office in North Dakota
A makeshift state Supreme Court installed newly elected Democrat George Sinner as North Dakota’s governor Friday and ordered Republican Gov. Allen I. Olson to vacate the office to which he has clung since Jan. 1.
Neither Sinner nor Olson was immediately available for comment, but the ruling means the incoming Democrat will fill two vacancies on the Supreme Court.
Earlier Friday, Olson and Sinner received a list of eight nominees for the vacancies.
A Supreme Court composed of Chief Justice Ralph Erickstad and four state District Court judges held a one-hour hearing Friday morning, then deliberated about four hours before reaching its decision. All of Erickstad’s colleagues on the high court disqualified themselves from the case.
During oral arguments Friday, Olson’s attorney said the state constitution requires the incumbent governor to remain in office until the first Monday in January--and to address the Legislature at its opening session, which is scheduled for Tuesday.
Sinner’s attorney said the constitution requires the new governor and the lieutenant governor to take office simultaneously--which Lt. Gov. Ruth Meiers did Jan. 2.
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