On August 17, the Minnesota Supreme Court released its opinion in Moulton v Simon, A16-0925. The issue was whether Daniel Moulton should be on the primary ballot as a candidate for Judge, Third Judicial District, seat 16. Election officials rejected his application because he did not “attach” a copy of his current attorney license. But the State Supreme Court said the law only requires that a candidate “provide” a copy of the license. Moulton had showed his license to the elections office when he filed, and the decision says that was good enough. A regulation said the license should be attached but the Court said the regulation can’t require more than the statute requires.

Although the opinion was released after the primary was over, the Court had earlier issued a one-sentence order putting him on the ballot, and only on August 17 explained why. Moulton did not win the non-partisan primary; he placed third in a three-candidate field.