ASM Chair Al Zein retains seat after student judiciary drops final election challenge

The Associated Students of Madison student judiciary dismissed a second legal challenge to the April chair election on Sept. 29. Rep. Michael Harry, who lost the race, submitted the brief on Sept. 22. He argued that the judiciary mishandled its earlier order and that the Chief Justice misapplied procedural rules.

The dispute began on April 24, when Haia Al Zein won the chair election for the 33rd session. Harry filed his initial brief on April 30, claiming the results were invalid. On Sept. 14, he amended that filing to request that alleged rule-breakers be disqualified from future chair races. The judiciary issued an order on Sept. 8 to allow the brief to be discussed as a special item at the Sept. 16 student council meeting.

ASM representatives voted against adopting that special order at the Sept. 16 meeting. The motion required a two-thirds majority to pass. A majority of representatives voted in favor, but the count fell short of the required threshold. Had the motion succeeded, representatives could have re-elected the 33rd session chair by a simple majority vote.

Harry’s second brief contended that the two-thirds requirement lacked precedent. According to the dismissal notice, a majority of student justices recused themselves from the decision. Chief Justice Chloe Sieman was among those who stepped aside, a move Harry had requested. Because of these recusals, the judiciary did not assign a full panel to review the case.

Al Zein said the decision allows her to focus on the remainder of the 33rd session. “The Student Judiciary's decision gives me hope for the remainder of the 33rd session, and I hope it serves as an opportunity for us to work more collaboratively and move forward in greater unity,” Al Zein said in a statement. Sieman, Harry, and the student judiciary declined to provide further comment on the brief.

The dismissal marks the end of the formal judicial process regarding the April 24 vote. The 33rd session will continue with Al Zein in the chair role until the next election cycle concludes.