Associated Students narrowly missed losing another executive officer last week as a result of its judicial council’s decision to override a ruling that would have removed External Vice President of Local Affairs Lindsey Quock from her post.

Quock, a second-year global studies major, ran unopposed with Students’ Party and received 2,364 votes in the Spring Election. However, the A.S. Elections Committee later discovered that Quock withdrew from the university during Spring Quarter, which made her ineligible for the position, according to the A.S. Legal Code. Following the committee’s decision, External Vice President of Statewide Affairs Christine Byon filed an appeal on Quock’s behalf to the A.S. Judicial Council.

In a 2-1 decision, the A.S. Judicial Council overturned the A.S. Elections Committee’s ruling, thus allowing Quock to remain in office as EVPLA for 2007-08.

According to the A.S. Legal Code, executive officers must complete at least six units and maintain a 2.0 grade point average during the Spring Quarter of their election as well as during their term of office. However, the code also permits exceptions in the case of extenuating circumstances. Quock appealed to the Elections Committee on these grounds.

After the initial ruling, Byon appealed the decision to the A.S. Judicial Council.

The case, Christine M. Byon v. A.S. Elections Committee, was brought before the A.S. Judicial Council at a closed hearing in the staff room of Francisco Torres Residence Hall on June 14 at 8 a.m.

In an e-mail sent to the Daily Nexus on June 19, A.S. Judicial Council Chair Russell McMillan stated that Judicial Council had reached a decision in favor of Byon, with a 2-1 majority.

McMillan stated that the council would release documents detailing the council’s majority and minority opinions at a later date due to “privacy reasons.”

In a subsequent e-mail on June 21, McMillan stated that an additional 10 days were required before the council could release its official documents.

Judicial Council members were unable to comment according to their policies, however A.S. President Stephanie Brower said she was pleased with the group’s decision to allow Quock to remain in A.S. as an executive officer.

“I’m elated that she’s still on the team,” Brower said. “I found her to be a really reliable co-worker, and she has good knowledge of the issues and good plans.”

Additionally, Brower noted the benefit the decision would have on A.S. as well as the entire student body. According to the A.S. Legal Code, if an executive office becomes vacant before the fourth week of Fall Quarter, A.S. must hold a special election.

“It would be really unfair to impose another election on students in the fall,” Brower said. “I’m relieved, and part of it is a selfish relief for the sake of the office, and part of it is for her. She’s a really good executive. She’s such a good leader and really cares about the office.”

Had the council upheld the election committee’s decision, it would have resulted in the loss of a second vice president-elect for A.S. within the same election. On May 21, Internal Vice President-elect Ian Taylor, an Open People’s Party candidate, withdrew from his post prior to being sworn in, opting instead to attend the UC Berkeley next fall. The position was then filled by Students’ Party runner-up Matt Jackson.