Reply #5: CA: Judge rules against counties in vote count dispute

[kpete]

Judge rules against counties in vote count dispute

10:00 PM PST on Tuesday, January 22, 2008

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

A San Diego County judge Tuesday ruled against four counties, including Riverside and San Bernardino that sought to block additional rules imposed by Secretary of State Debra Bowen for the February presidential primary.

Earlier this month the two Inland counties joined a lawsuit filed by San Diego County challenging requirements for hand recounts in close races that could increase the number of ballots and races that would have to be counted. Kern County recently joined in the lawsuit.

Superior Court Judge Patricia Coweta found that Bowen was within her authority to make the changes, stating that state election law allows the secretary of state to set criteria for voting machines.

Nicole Winger, a spokesperson for Bowen, called the ruling a win for voting accuracy.

more at:
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_D_vote23.339ccb2.html