Judge Joseph Alfred Rathert rescheduled a hearing regarding Steve Wyatt Earp’s qualifications to run for the county clerk position to Tuesday, May 26.
A hearing on two cases brought forward by Earp’s opponent, Brent Myers, was scheduled for Tuesday. However, as of Tuesday morning, Earp has yet to be served at his listed address in Hillsboro.
Rathert said because not all parties were present and hadn’t been served, it wouldn’t be fair to call a hearing.
On April 29, Myers filed two pre-election challenges with the 23rd judicial circuit court, alleging his opponent, Earp, does not meet the minimum requirements to run in the Aug. 4 primaries. Myers and Earp filed with the Republican Party for the county clerk and central township committeeman positions.
Myers alleges Earp does not meet the residency requirements laid out in the Jefferson County home rule charter. The charter requires candidates to live in the county for at least one year before filing for office, among other requirements.
Myers alleges Earp lived, voted and paid taxes in St. Louis County last year, making him ineligible to run in the Aug. 4 election.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies first attempted to serve Earp regarding the lawsuits on April 30, noting a car in the driveway of the Hillsboro home Earp is renting. Deputies again tried on March 6 and were unable to serve Earp.
The service process was restarted on May 14, court documents show.
The May 26 hearing will focus on Jefferson County’s motion to dismiss County Clerk Jeannie Goff as a party in the lawsuit.
Myers stated in his lawsuit that the county’s election authority, along with Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and the Department of Revenue, are “necessary parties to ensure that any order of this court is fully implemented.”
The county claims that Myers failed to state a claim or allegation on which relief can be granted.