A Maricopa County Superior Court judge dismissed an election challenge against LD7 State Rep. Walter Blackman, citing critical procedural errors by plaintiff Steven Slaton before the case could proceed.
The lawsuit, filed by a previous LD7 candidate, Steven Slaton of Show Low, who lost to Blackman in 2024, sought to challenge Blackman’s eligibility to be on the ballot. Slaton cited issues stemming from a 2020 campaign account in his court filings.
The case was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court and moved quickly under Arizona’s expedited election challenge procedures.
According to the court’s findings, Slaton failed to name several legally required parties in the lawsuit. Arizona law requires that election challenges include certain government entities responsible for ballot preparation, including county boards of supervisors, county recorders, or city clerks. The court determined those parties were not included as defendants.
Presiding Judge Scott A. Blaney found that the required parties were not properly served with the complaint and summons, a separate deficiency that, by itself, undermines a case. Proper service ensures that all parties have notice and an opportunity to respond, a fundamental requirement in civil litigation that Slaton failed to do.
In addition, the court found that the Arizona Secretary of State was not properly named or served, despite the nature of the claims. The order notes that simply listing the Secretary of State as an “additional defendant” on a civil cover sheet does not establish jurisdiction or satisfy legal requirements.
Because of these issues, the court concluded that “not all parties from whom Plaintiff seeks relief have been named and served,” identifying the defects as fatal to the case.
Slaton failed to take the most basic step in the lawsuit: serving the defendants.
Timing also played a critical role in the dismissal. Election challenges in Arizona are governed by strict statutory deadlines, requiring courts to issue rulings within a narrow timeframe.
In the order issued on April 2, Judge Blaney dismissed the complaint without prejudice, citing the multiple procedural failures that prevented the court from proceeding.
Judge Blaney also wrote that there was insufficient time to correct the deficiencies through amendment and proper service before the deadline expired.
As a result, the court dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning the claims were not decided on their merits and could theoretically be refiled. However, given the expedited nature of election litigation, the practical window to pursue the challenge has effectively closed.
The court also vacated a previously scheduled evidentiary hearing scheduled for April 3.
Following the dismissal, Blackman gave Mountain Daily Star a statement characterizing the challenges Slaton was pursuing as an administrative matter and emphasizing that the case had been dismissed by the courts.
“I want to address the claims that have recently been raised and provide a clear, factual context,” Blackman said. He attributed the issue to administrative processes dating back to 2020, during a period of increased strain on Arizona’s election systems due to high voter turnout and expanded mail-in voting.
Blackman stated that his campaign acted in “good faith” and followed required reporting procedures, including procedures for closing the campaign account. He described the current dispute as a matter of how that closure was processed within the system, rather than a failure to comply with the law.
“The facts overwhelmingly show this was an administrative matter—not a failure to comply,” Blackman said.
He also noted that the challenge to his eligibility to be on the ballot had been dismissed and said the outcome reinforces his position that the issue does not involve misconduct or integrity concerns.
Slaton has been in contention with Rep. Blackman for several years, ultimately leading to defamation lawsuits being filed against Slaton. The defamation lawsuit is ongoing.
Legal experts often note that election challenges are among the most time-sensitive cases in Arizona courts, leaving little room for procedural missteps. Failure to include necessary parties or properly serve them can result in dismissal regardless of the merits of the claims.
Blackman said he will continue working with the Secretary of State’s Office to ensure that records related to the campaign account are accurate and complete under Arizona law.
“I remain committed to resolving this matter based on the full and accurate context, and to continuing to serve the people of Arizona with integrity and focus,” he said.
With the case dismissed and deadlines expired, no further hearings are scheduled in the matter. Blackman will continue his campaign for LD7 Rep and said he hopes to continue representing the people of LD7.
