ABC News: Justice Dept. Sues Pa. Election Officials

ABC News: Justice Dept. Sues Pa. Election Officials

NEW YORK Oct 13, 2004 - The Department of Justice has sued Pennsylvania elections officials in an attempt to give overseas voters two more weeks to cast ballots in the Nov. 2 election, according a published report.

The suit, filed Tuesday in Pennsylvania, contends the state failed to send out ballots in time due to a legal dispute over whether they should list independent candidate Ralph Nader, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

Pennsylvania officials said Tuesday that they would fight the lawsuit, arguing that they will help overseas voters by offering overnight deliveries of ballots or allowing them to fax their completed ballots.

'We are confident that no voter overseas, whether military or civilian, will be left out of the election,' Kate Philips, a spokeswoman for Gov. Ed Rendell, told the Times.

Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Department of State advised county officials that they should not send out absentee ballots listing Nader until the courts determine whether he's allowed on the ballot. A ruling on that issue is expected this week.

---