Secretary of State Shenna Bellows issued a decision regarding a challenge to the nomination petitions filed by Albert Joy as a non-party candidate for Knox County Sheriff. Secretary Bellows rejected the challenge, finding Mr. Joy eligible for the November ballot.

That was the announcement from the Secretary of State's office June 18.

The Secretary of State’s Office received the written challenge from Daniel Landers alleging that Mr. Joy did not meet the statutory qualifications for the office of sheriff pursuant to Maine law, the announcement said.

A hearing was held on Thursday, June 11 with Chief Deputy Secretary Katherine McBrien serving as the Presiding Officer at the hearing, and Assistant Attorney General Jon Bolton assisting as legal counsel. A recording on the hearing can be viewed on the Secretary of State’s YouTube page.

"The Secretary, upon review of the proceedings and evidence, the recommendation of the hearing officer and responses from Mr. Landers and Mr. Joy, found that the challenger did not meet the burden of proof required to disqualify Mr. Joy from the ballot," the announcement said. "Mr. Joy will appear on the ballot in November for Knox County Sheriff as a nonparty candidate. The challenger may appeal the decision to Superior Court."