Judge says ex-globetrotter ineligible to appear on ballot

LITTLE ROCK, AR - A Pulaski County judge ruled Monday that a former state legislator can not appear on the May primary ballot because he was ineligible to serve when he filed.

Circuit judge Mary McGowan ruled that Fred Smith did not have an order removing his criminal record until March 14.  Smith filed for House District 50 in East Arkansas on March 1.

Secretary of State Mark Martin's office says ballots with Fred Smith's name have already been printed and shipped to election commission offices in Cross and Crittenden counties.

McGowan ordered that any votes cast for Smith in the May 22 primary will not be counted.

State representative Hudson Hallum (D) is the only other candidate in the primary.