Fields v. Hoffman

Although this case nominally involves a question of statutory construction, the underlying issue is the power of the county committee of a political party to designate candidates for inclusion on the general election ballot. In my view, the power accorded to the county committee by the majority opinion far exceeds that contemplated by the statutes governing the conduct of elections.

The majority clearly and accurately frames the issue of statutory interpretation. In the case of elections for municipal office, the county committee of a political party in the municipality is authorized to select…