Ohio Democrats want to settle old election lawsuits
4 days ago Ohio Democrats want to settle old election lawsuits
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The Associated Press
Jan 18, 2007 2:32 PM (4 days ago)
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COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Democrats who have taken over as Ohio's elections chief and top lawyer want to resolve lawsuits filed against former Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and other Republicans for their handling of elections dating back to the 2004 presidential race.
Blackwell's Democratic successor, Jennifer Brunner, said she would like to settle 20 unresolved lawsuits against Blackwell, former Gov. Bob Taft and the state because they could cost millions to fight and she agrees with many of their points.
"When there's a constitutional challenge, if it's a meritorious challenge, we shouldn't fight it," Brunner said. "We should resolve it as quickly as possible."
The lawsuits are being studied by staff lawyers, who have not set a timetable to complete their review, Brunner spokesman Jeff Ortega said on Thursday.
Plaintiffs in the cases include the Ohio Democratic Party, which sued to allow election observers at polling places in the Nov. 7 election; the League of Women Voters of Ohio, which claimed the 2004 presidential election violated voters' rights because of inadequate distribution of voting machines and other problems; and the Libertarian Party, which is seeking major-party ballot status.
The lawyers also are trying to determine the financial liability Brunner's office faces if they settle the cases out of court, Ortega said.
Democratic Attorney General Marc Dann, meanwhile, has fired seven lawyers hired by his Republican predecessor as special counsel to defend Blackwell and Taft in the complaints.
Blackwell long argued the suits were partisan attacks aimed at discrediting him and the GOP.
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