TruetheVote Files Lawsuit Over Allen West Recount

INSPECTION OF ELECTION RECORDS AT ISSUE

by Sharon Rondeau

(Feb. 9, 2013) — An organization established to ensure greater election integrity has filed a lawsuit against St. Lucie County, FL for failing to allow an inspection of the results of the contested election between former Rep. Allen West and challenger Patrick Murphy in November.

The non-profit TruetheVote.org has invoked the National Voter Registration Act passed in 1993 as justification to audit the results of the race, naming Gertrude Walker, Supervisor of Elections for St. Lucie County, as the sole defendant.  The action taken against Walker has been called “unprecedented.”

Catherine Engelbrecht, President of TruetheVote, contends that during the recount process, “On November 17, the full recount operation was relocated to a privately-owned property. County workers were evicted from the premises late at night, suspending the recount until the next morning.”  Personnel from TruetheVote had asked to see election records but were reportedly denied access.

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and claims that “The administration of the 2012 federal general election for the 18th Congressional District was marred by controversy, ambiguities, uncertainty and inconsistent tabulations.”

Legal action and the recount lasted approximately two weeks, after which West conceded the race to Murphy.  West’s seat had been particularly targeted by Democrats during the campaign season.  West served one term in Congress.

Voter fraud and irregularities in the presidential election of 2012 have been reported in Ohio, Illinois, Florida and Pennsylvania.  One organization has called for a forensic investigation and CPA audit of the 2012 election.

TruetheVote has been accused by a Maryland congressman of “challenging the registration of thousands of legitimate voters ‘based on insufficient, inaccurate, and faulty evidence.'”