LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Incumbent State Rep. Nima Kulkarni won’t appear on the ballot for Kentucky's primary election.
On Wednesday, the Kentucky Court of Appeals reversed a previous decision that now disqualifies the Louisville Democrat from running for the state’s House District 40 seat.
It comes a day before early voting is set to begin in Kentucky's upcoming primary. Election Day is next Tuesday, May 21.
The court agreed with a petition, filed by former Democrat state Rep. Dennis Horlander, in which he argued Kulkarni filed improper paperwork when she decided to run for reelection this year.
Kulkarni has served in the role since 2018 after beating Horlander, who is not running in the upcoming election.
In a statement, Kulkarni said her team is “absolutely taking this to the Supreme Court.”
According to the new ruling, Kulkarni filed for reelection in January of this year. That paperwork requires two witness signatures from registered voters of the same party.
One of the witnesses, however, was a registered Republican at the time she signed the form, according to the court. The ruling said the witness didn’t change her party affiliation until days later and will not be eligible to vote for Kulkarni in the primary election.
“The Court of Appeals got it wrong and ignored major complaints of the law,” Kulkarni said. “I am disappointed that they chose to disenfranchise voters one day before early voting begins. We are absolutely fighting this unjust decision.”
Horlander filed a petition challenging Kulkarni’s candidacy in March. In late April, a circuit court judge denied the petition.
The appeals court has now reversed the judge’s decision and denied Kulkarni’s motion to dismiss.
Kulkarni was running against Democrat William Zeitz in her bid for reelection. No Republicans filed to run for the seat.
WHAS11 has reached out to the Jefferson County Clerk's Office for comment. This story will be updated once they respond.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.