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10/22/2004:

"A Look at Lawsuits Ahead of Election"

Many states are facing legal challenges over possible voting problems Nov. 2. A look at some of the developments Friday:

COLORADO:

- The state's top election official told The Associated Press that Colorado could be one of several states that may hold up the results of the presidential election for days or even weeks because of new voting rules and potential legal fights. Political experts have expressed similar concerns about Colorado in recent weeks.

- Several voters have sued election officials in Boulder County, accusing them of violating the state constitution by printing serial numbers and bar codes on ballots. The voters believe the ballots could lead to an invasion of privacy. But officials say voters will not be matched to the serial numbers.

MARYLAND:

A federal judge blocked electronic voting opponents from stationing people at polling places to watch for problems with the state's machines on Election Day. The opponents claim the state has covered up problems with e-voting machines.

OHIO:

- The U.S. Justice Department got involved in a court fight over provisional ballots in Ohio, siding with the Republican secretary of state in a legal dispute that could have national implications. The battleground state's handling of provisional ballots could prove key in a close election.

- Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader asked the U.S. Supreme Court to order his name placed on the ballot in Ohio. The filing follows two defeats for the Nader campaign in courts in Ohio.

PENNSYLVANIA:

Republican lawmakers have accused Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell of trying to suppress military votes for President Bush by failing to push for an extension of the deadline to accept overseas military and civilian ballots. Democrats said there wasn't a ``single shred of evidence'' to back up the claim.

SOUTH DAKOTA:

The attorney general said six Republican notary publics face misdemeanor charges for illegally notarizing absentee ballot applications filled out on college campuses. The attorney general said there's no evidence of fraud, but the applications in question will likely be challenged in court.

Guardian UK