Governors election trial decision

Ross Reynolds
06/06/2005 at 12:00 p.m.

Today's verdict from a Chelan County courtroom is a big victory for Christine Gregoire and the Democrats. Superior Court Judge John Bridges dismissed with prejudice a petition by the Republicans. They wanted to set aside the governor’s election. Bridges ruled this morning that despite illegal votes and miscounts, there was no evidence of fraud. Bridges ruled that there were nearly 1700 illegal votes in an election decided by only 129 votes. But it’s not over yet. Republicans will appeal the case to the Washington Supreme Court. How will Republicans challenge the case? We’ll hear how Judge Bridges lambasted King County elections for not accepting responsibility and accountability. And we'll take your calls, today on The Conversation.

Guests:
Austin Jenkins is the Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network, and he's been following the trial.
Kevin Hamilton was one of the attorneys for the Democrats.
Jeffrey Grant is a partner in the Seattle law firm Aoki, Fakamoto and Grant, and an adjunct professor at the University of Washington.