Two Court Challenges Filed In Washington Governor's Election

The Associated Press reports that two voters have challenged Washington's gubernatorial election in Washington's Supreme Court:

Both challenge the legitimacy of Gov.-elect Christine O. Gregoire, a Democrat who lost the first two counts but beat Republican Dino Rossi by 129 votes in a hand recount of 2.9 million ballots. Gregoire's inauguration is scheduled for Wednesday.

[. . .]

Stevens, 38, owner of a construction and real estate business, said he filed the challenge out of frustration.

"An engineering department has plans and codes and rules to address a 100-year storm. Why can't the state be prepared for the 100-year vote?" Stevens asked. "The impact of who gets in office is minimal if we miss this opportunity to use this as a catalyst for reform."

[. . .]

Dr. Arthur Coday Jr., a pediatrician in Shoreline, filed an 11-page brief arguing that the hand recount was flawed for several reasons and asking the high court to declare Rossi the winner.

"It was an issue of conscience, to be honest," Coday told The Seattle Times.

According to the AP, State Republican Chairman Chris Vance said the two filings prove there's grass-roots support for a new governor's election, while State Democratic Party spokeswoman Kirstin Brost said the challenges seem to lack any legal standing.

"God bless 'em for caring, but I don't think anything is going to come from it," Brost said.

I agree with Brost that nothing will come of these two appeals. These two challenges show that there is grassroots frustration over Washington's electoral process, I don't agree with Vance that these challenges show support for a new election.

Comments

[SoloD]

I cannot imagine any court ordering a revote, absent a finding of systemic fraud. After all, how hard would it be to find 1,00 or 2,000 mistakes or errors in every election. It would be opening a Pandora's Box that no court would want do.