Castagnetto v. Superior Court , 189 Cal. 662 ( 1922 )

This is an application for a writ of prohibition to prevent the superior court of Mariposa County from proceeding with the trial of a contest of nomination as provided for in section 28 of the primary election law (Stats. 1917, p. 1363). [1] It is claimed that the affidavit is insufficient because it does not specify separately the precincts in which a recount is demanded nor sufficiently specify the "nature of the mistake, error, misconduct, or other cause why it is claimed that the returns from such precinct do not correctly state the vote as cast in such precinct, for the contestant and the contestee" (sec. 28,supra). While it may be conceded that an affidavit which utterly fails to state any ground of contest provided for in section 28 would not give the court jurisdiction, and therefore the trial of the contest should be prevented by a writ of prohibition as might be done in cases of contempt (Hutton v.Superior Court, 147 Cal. 156 [81 P. 409]; Otis v. SuperiorCourt, 148 Cal. 129 [82 P. 853]; In re McCarthy, 154 Cal. 534 [98 Pac, 540]; see, also, Kilburn v. Law, 111 Cal. 237 [43 P. 615]; Cline v. Superior Court, 184 Cal. 331 [193 P. 929]), nevertheless similar allegations as a basis for an election contest have been sustained as sufficient (Abbott v.Hartley, 143; Cal. 484 [77 P. 410]; Treanor v. Williams145 Cal. 316 [78 P. 884]). [2] In view of the amendment to the constitution (art. VI, sec. 4 1/2) we are not disposed to consider matters on application for writs of prohibition which could readily be cured by amendment to the pleadings (Cline v.Superior Court, 184 Cal. 331, 342 [193 P. 929]).

[3] It is alleged in the petition that the superior court intends to count ballots where the cross after the name is made with a lead pencil instead of with a rubber stamp. The case ofMiller v. Superior Court, 25 Cal.App. 607 [144 P. 978], is cited as authority for the proposition that upon application for a writ of prohibition the court will consider whether or not the evidence sought to be adduced upon an election contest under section 28 of the direct primary law is admissible. That case, however, is altogether different from this. It was sought therein to offer proof that the election officers had refused to receive the votes of electors who were entitled to vote, but it was held that this was not a ground of contest under the law and therefore evidence of such refusal should be permitted and would be prevented by a writ of prohibition. The case involved here is entirely different. The purpose of the contest is fully accomplished by the recount of the votes, and any error in counting votes is an error in the exercise of the jurisdiction vested in the trial court, and cannot be controlled by a writ of prohibition.

The application for the writ is denied.

Wilbur, J., acting C. J., Lawlor, J., Waste, J., and Richards, J., pro tem., concurred.

Rehearing denied.

Lawlor, J., Lennon, J., Waste, J., and Richards, J., protem., concurred.