The hearing in a lawsuit challenging the eligibility of Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. has been rescheduled until March 6, after the upcoming primary elections.
According to a court order resetting the case, the hearing on Mark Cannon’s petition for a writ of mandamus is now set for March 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Division 2.
The case was originally scheduled to be heard Jan. 27, but was rescheduled due to winter weather for Feb. 17.
The lawsuit was filed by Cannon, who is representing himself. Cannon is seeking a declaration that Woods is ineligible to hold the office of sheriff and a writ of mandamus directing election officials to remove Woods from the ballot or not count or certify votes cast for him.
Woods has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing Cannon’s claims do not meet the legal standard required to proceed. His motion states the petition relies on speculative and conclusory allegations and lacks documentation to support its central claim.
Cannon alleges Woods is ineligible for office because of what he describes as a prior misdemeanor theft conviction, which he contends qualifies as an “infamous crime” under the Arkansas Constitution.
Woods’ motion counters that the petition, even after being amended, does not include any verified record to substantiate that allegation. The filing also argues the court lacks jurisdiction because of improper service of process and claims Cannon failed to include necessary parties in the lawsuit.
Cannon has filed a response asking the court to deny the motion to dismiss and allow the case to proceed. He argues the case presents a straightforward question of whether Woods was convicted of a disqualifying crime and that the court must accept his allegations as true at the motion-to-dismiss stage.
Cannon also contends Woods was personally served Jan. 14 at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, which he says complies with Arkansas civil procedure rules.
With the hearing now scheduled for March 6, the case will be heard after the primary elections, leaving the matter unresolved as voters head to the polls.
