Alaska Supreme Court reverses ban on write-in candidate lists

[cal04]

Source: LA Times

The court says the state Division of Elections can provide the write-in candidate lists to voters who need help at the polls, a ruling that could benefit incumbent U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

The lists can be shown to voters who request them, the high court ruled, but candidates' party affiliation must be removed.

The court also directed the Division of Elections to attempt to segregate absentee ballots cast by voters who have seen the lists -- an apparent preparation for legal fights over whether those ballots can be counted. The court ordered briefs by Thursday on whether its stay should be permanent.

(snip)
Earlier in the day, Superior Court Judge Frank A. Pfiffner rejected the state's argument that providing a list of certified write-in candidates to voters who ask for help complies with the state's obligation to aid citizens who need assistance casting ballots.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-alaska-senate-write-in-ruling-20101028,0,1473987.story

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High court blocks write-in list decision
http://www.adn.com/2010/10/27/1521270/judge-blocks-distribution-of-write.html

[onehandle]

1. I think that's acceptable. Voters shouldn't be poll taxed for their memory or spelling.

Except for teabaggers, of course. They should be required to recite the Constitution from memory.

[nyy1998]

6. Lol +1

[Tx4obama]

2. I think they should NOT segregate absentee ballots cast by voters who have seen the lists

It will be too easy for someone working there to toss them into the trash, hide them, or steal them - if they're all in one pile.

[PinkFloyd]

3. I've never liked Murkowski

But sadly she's probably better than the teabag nutjob.

[gvstn]

4. Just write down the name and bring it with you to the polls.

How hard is that? I think the first judge ruled correctly.

[No Elephants]

9. Alaskans are not supposed to bring any material to the polls, either.

That's why Murkowski's campaign was going to distribute temporary "tattoos" voters could apply to a hand or arm.

[gvstn]

12. Thank you--I hadn't heard that.

[LiberalFighter]

5. Why does the name have to be spelled correctly?

As long as intent can be determined it should count. Now if there were 2 Smiths and the voter only wrote Smith then it shouldn't count.

[Tx4obama]

8. The election officials said a while back that it doesn't have to be spelled correctly

but it has to be close.

[No Elephants]

10. I believe intent is the.standard, but some people can mangle spelling pretty badly and she may need

every vote--and you know Miller will mount a costly challenge if she wins, ala Coleman-Franken.

http://www.slate.com/id/2266740/

[Toots]

11. There are two Murkowskis

There is Lisa's father Frank who was governor for one term and then thrown out and there is Lisa. How would one determine the intent if it just said Murkowski?

[LiberalFighter]

13. Didn't she have to file as a write-in?

A judge also made a ruling that a write-in list could be provided to voters. Or something like that. So that would suggest that only those that have filed as a write-in would qualify.

[Tx4obama]

7. What Murkowski should have done....

the day she held the press conference and announced that she was going to run as a write-in - she should have brought a Sharpie with her and held up her hand and wrote her last name on the palm of her hand! And told everyone to do the same before heading to vote.
It would have made news! ;)

I'm rooting for McAdams, but Murkowski would be a hell of a lot better than Miller!

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. Sounds like a post-election court battle is inevitable

It's not who votes that counts, nor who counts the votes now - it's who can keep their lawyers in court for as long as possible.