Joe Miller lawsuit furthers drama in Alaska U.S. Senate race

The Alaska Senate race has been further complex by Joe Miller. Miller has just filed a lawsuit. Ballots that vote for a write-in candidate could be confusing if spelling errors are made, and Miller wants to keep the state from interpreting ballots. Election authorities have said that interpretations would be made only where sensible and necessary. The goal in the suit is to ensure no leeway for interpretation, reasonable or otherwise, is allowed to exist. Post resource – Drama in Alaska Senate race heats up with lawsuit by Personal Money Store.

Filing a lawsuit before counting the Alaska Senate race vote

Joe Miller has filed for an injunction in Federal court ahead of the final vote count in the Alaska Senate race. Miller and Lisa Murkowski are the only candidates within the race. She is a write in candidate and the incumbent. USA Today reports that the Alaskan election law is what Miller is suing about. The current law in Alaska is that an oval, indicating the choice of a write-in candidate, has to be filled in, and also the name has to be written. The last name of the candidate, or the name of the candidate as seems like on the ballot has to be written. Write in candidates may have their names displayed. The booth must have these. He is trying to cut any attempts to discern voter intent off at the pass.

Invoking infamous court case

Miller’s suit cites the infamous court case Bush v. Gore, the Supreme Court case which decided the 2000 election. The candidate name has to be spelled correctly by Alaskan law, Joe Miller as a Tea Party candidate endorsed by Sarah Palin, is trying to say. The Washington Post reports that Alaskan officials say otherwise. They say that from time to time the name can be misspelled while a clear intention certainly exists meaning interpretation is allowed.

It's all being counted

Numerous are watching the Alaska Senate race for the final vote. Within the 2010 election results, this race is watched closely. Murkowksi, if she does garner the most votes, can have upset the Tea Party in Sarah Palin’s home state. Since Strom Thurmond in 1954, she will also be the first write-in candidate to win.

Citations

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/09/AR2010110907061.html?wprss=rss_print

USA Today

content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/11/joe-miller-alaska-senate-lisa-murkowski-/1