Teenager enters city council race after legal fight over age
FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) — A teenager will run for city council in Florence after a two-week legal battle over age requirements.
Local news outlets report that Chase Holcombe officially entered the race Tuesday afternoon when he signed his statement of candidacy.
Holcombe was initially denied entry to the race because he didn't turn 18 until July 20, 2016, the day after the qualification period ended. According to the Code of Alabama, a candidate seeking municipal office must be 18 years old to run.
Citing a Federal Appeals Court opinion, Holcombe's attorney argued that because of a calendar year, a person actually ages the day before a birthday.
A circuit judge ruled in Holcombe's favor on Monday.