Olsen v. Cooper

OPINION

MARGARET GARNER MIRABAL, Justice.

In this accelerated appeal of an election contest suit, appellant challenges the trial court’s ruling setting aside the outcome of a primary runoff and ordering a new election. We reverse.

Case Background

The parties vie for the position of Constable for Precinct Eight of Galveston County. Daniel Cooper is the incumbent; Donald H. Olsen, Jr. is the challenger.

Cooper and Olsen competed against two other candidates in the Republican primary election, held March 14, 2000. Because no candidate received a majority of the votes, a runoff primary election was…