News Release
Supreme Court LIVE is coming to Kenai on March 29, 2018
State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party
Three hundred and seventy-five students from six KPBSD high schools will attend, the public is invited, and the case will be streamed live at 360 North at https://www.360north.org/alaska-supreme-court
Courtesy Press Release forward:
Press Release
Alaska Court System, 303 K Street, 5th Floor Anchorage, AK 99501
Contacts: Marilyn May, mmay@akcourts.us, 907-264-0612; FAX 907-264-0878
Mara Rabinowitz, mrabinowitz@akcourts.us, 907-264-0879; FAX 907- 264-0640
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ALASKA SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CASE AT KENAI CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
“Supreme Court LIVE” Event Fosters Understanding of the Justice System
Anchorage, Alaska (March 27, 2018) – The Alaska Supreme Court will visit Kenai Central High School on Thursday, March 29, from 9:40AM–11:40AM for the Supreme Court LIVE educational program. Supreme Court LIVE brings Supreme Court oral arguments in actual cases to student audiences at Alaskan high schools. Designed to help students better understand the justice system, this unique learning opportunity debuted in 2010.
The court will hear oral argument in State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party, which involves a dispute related to the way political parties choose the candidate who will represent them on the general election ballot. The Alaska Democratic Party seeks to allow persons who are not affiliated with any political party, including those who registered to vote as nonpartisan or undeclared, to run as candidates for the Democratic Party in a primary election. A state law requires candidates who want to run in a primary election for a political party’s nomination to be registered to vote as a member of the political party whose nomination they are seeking. The Alaska Democratic Party sued the State of Alaska, arguing that the law was unconstitutional. The trial court agreed with the Democratic Party. The State has appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court and is asking the court to decide the law is constitutional.
Volunteer attorneys from the Alaska Bar Association and staff from the court system have visited Kenai Peninsula high schools in the days preceding the program to help students understand the appellate process and the case itself, using a case summary and information from the court’s website: http://courts.alaska.gov/outreach/index.htm#scl. The program will include question-and-answer sessions with the attorneys arguing the cases, and with members of the Supreme Court.
The program is open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for security screening. Members of the media wishing to use cameras or other electronic equipment should file an Application for Court Approval of Media Coverage https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/forms/docs/tf-945.pdf with Appellate Clerk Marilyn May by noon, March 28, 2018 at the email address or fax number noted above.
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