Washington's state Supreme Court ordered King County officials to count the 723 ballots that they claimed to have discovered after the second machine recount, which presumably would give Democrat Christine Gregoire enough of a margin to edge out Republican Dino Rossi for the governorship:

Washington state's Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that more than 700 belatedly discovered ballots from Seattle's King County should be counted in the extraordinarily close governor's race — potentially enough to tip the balance in favor of Democrat Christine Gregoire.

This appears to reverse their earlier ruling that previously-disqualified ballots could not be used in a recount. It looks like Washington's justices have succumbed to the Florida syndrome, in which judges substitute their own ideas of fair play for the regulations established by the state legislature. At this point, it hardly makes a difference; the mess that Washington created with its election could hardly be made much worse with this latest development.

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» Court: Disputed Washington Ballots Should Be Counted from Powerpundit
The Washington state Supreme Court has ruled that hundreds of "discovered" ballots in overwhelmingly Democratic King County should be counted. This brings Christine Gregoire a notch closer to being the Grinch Who Stole Dino Rossi's Christmas. The Repub... [Read More]

Tracked on December 22, 2004 7:15 PM

» Washington Update from Amateur Megalomania
Captain's Quarters The Washington State Supreme Court ruled today that the 'recently manufactureddiscovered' ballots in King County must be counted. This will probably give the Dems the win. The Hugh Hewitt book title is completely appropriate here. It... [Read More]

Tracked on December 22, 2004 8:50 PM