Judge Rebuffs GOP Effort to Contest Voters in Ohio

[JohnnyMarzetti]

Judge Rebuffs GOP Effort to Contest Voters in Ohio

Judge Rebuffs GOP Effort to Contest Voters in Ohio

By Jo Becker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 28, 2004; Page A01

A U.S. District Court judge yesterday effectively ended efforts by Republicans in Ohio to challenge the eligibility of tens of thousands of voters in one of the most closely contested states in this year's presidential race.

Judge Susan J. Dlott in Cincinnati issued an order preventing local election boards from going forward with plans to notify challenged voters and hold hearings until she hears legal arguments tomorrow. But because her ruling means that those election board hearings cannot take place within the time frame state law requires before the election, Dlott's ruling killed the GOP effort that had targeted 35,000 voters, Democratic and Republican party officials said.

David Sullivan, director of the Democratic Party's Voter Protection Program in Ohio, praised the ruling and said the GOP was never able to offer proof that the challenged voters are ineligible. "The Republican assault on tens of thousands of Ohio voters was an unprecedented effort to intimidate voters, especially minorities, but it has backfired," he said.

[Marcus Bryant]

You mean like "Mary Poppins"? They were questioning the registration of those who had invalid addresses.