Former state Rep. Dwayne Dobbins is taking his fight to get on the Nov. 4 ballot to the state’s highest court.

Dobbins filed an appeal today with the Arkansas Supreme Court in his lawsuit challenging the Democratic Party of Arkansas’ refusal to certify him for the general election ballot as a candidate for North Little Rock’s District 39 seat in the state House of Representatives. A Pulaski County circuit judge dismissed the lawsuit Friday, saying it was not filed in a timely manner.

Dobbins claims the state Democratic Party violated his due process rights when it refused to certify him after it passed a rule prohibiting ballot certification of any Democratic candidate who previously resigned from elective office as part of a plea deal to avoid felony prosecution.

Dobbins resigned from his House seat and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment in a 2005 plea deal after he was charged initially with felony sexual assault. Prosecutors said he improperly touched a 17-year-old girl at his home.

Early voting for the general election started Monday.

Tags: Dwayne Dobbins

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