PLUS: Audio of Attorney Paul Lehto on Ed Schultz Discussing Details of the Case...
ALSO: Tons of Local Media Coverage of the Contest Filing...
By Brad Friedman on 7/31/2006, 4:56pm PT  

Blogged by Brad on the road...

The case to challenge the announced results of the Busby/Bilbray election was filed today in San Diego County's California Superior Court as reported earlier this morning in some detail. The case number is: GIC870044 and may be downloaded here...

-- Busby/Bilbray Election Contest complaint, [PDF]

There's some extraordinary and fresh stuff in the suit that you'll want to read, since I'm still on the road and unable to cover as thoroughly as usual.

The local media covered the press conference held and attorney Paul Lehto appeared on Ed Schultz. Coverage of both follows...

Amongst the coverage by local media thus far tonight, are several stories. One from the San Diego Union-Tribune (who has covered this story so atrociously in the past,) almost covered the story intelligently, until they got to the part claiming "The voting machine issue in this contest has become a hot topic among progressive bloggers, but has gained little traction elsewhere." I guess the DNC calling for a full hand count for the first time in their history, coverage on CNN's Lou Dobbs, Court TV's Catherine Crier and scores of other mainstream outlets doesn't count as "traction elsewhere".

There was also TV coverage from NEWS 8 KFMB (they have a LIVE video report from the Press Conference today as well in which Bilbray --- suprise! --- says the contest is "sour grapes"!) and KGTV. Both of those stories have a great quote from the irresponsible, democracy-hating San Diego County Registrar of Voters, Mikel Haas:

"The election's over. We certified it," Haas said. "We're working on November. As far as we're concerned, it's done."

We suppose Haas isn't concerned with the right of voters to legally contest an election within 30 days of its certification, so it's "done" for him. Is there any election law or voter that Haas gives a damn about?

As well, attorney Paul Lehto appeared late this afternoon on the Ed Schultz Show to discuss several details of the case. That appearance may be downloaded here...

-- Paul Lehto discussing Busby/Bilbray contest on the Ed Schultz Show, [MP3, appx 7 minutes]

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