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The state Supreme Court has dismissed a primary election challenge filed by a losing candidate for City Council.
The complaint filed by Martin Rana Han alleged his opponent, Joey Manahan, broke campaign laws by posting signs too close to polling places on primary election day as a way to influence undecided voters in the district, many of whom are seniors.
Han also said Manahan, the current state House vice speaker, who won the race outright in the primary for Council District 7 (Kalihi, Sand Island, Salt Lake, Hickam AFB, Ford Island), had a high amount of absentee ballots returned in his favor.
In its opinion, dated Monday, the court said Han failed to present specific evidence of mistakes or errors that would change the outcome of the election.
On Tuesday, Han said he was disappointed in the ruling but he declined further comment because he had not yet read the opinion.
Manahan, who received 7,122 votes in the primary, or 58 percent, denied any wrongdoing by him or his campaign. He did not immediately comment today.
Han received 3,469 votes, or 28 percent, and a third candidate, Lillian Hong, received 1,784 votes, or 14 percent.
In Council races with more than two candidates, one can win outright in the primary by garnering more than 50 percent. If not, the top two face off in the general election.
