Challenge raised against having Bernie Sanders on DC primary ballot

A challenge has been raised against having Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on the ballot for the Democratic primary in the District.

The District of Columbia's Board of Elections website says the challenge was filed March 24 by an individual, Robert Brannum. That was one day after the board posted a list of Democratic candidates for Washington's last-in-the-nation primary on June 14.

Brannum, a schoolteacher, is a former president of the D.C. Federation of Civic Associations. He didn't immediately respond to a voicemail or email from The Associated Press requesting comment.

Margarita Mikhaylova, spokeswoman for the elections board, confirmed Wednesday that a challenge has been filed. She wouldn't elaborate on the challenge, but said a hearing on the matter is planned April 6.

Mikhaylova gave an address for the hearing, 1 Judiciary Square, where the board's offices are located. The board has regular monthly meetings, and the most recent one was March 2.

Michael Briggs, Sanders' communications director, said in an email, "We did what the D.C. law requires in order to get Bernie on the ballot and we are confident he will be on the ballot."

The Democratic primary in the nation's capital will award 20 delegates.