Alabama Senate Election Certified Despite Roy Moore's Lawsuit

MONTGOMERY, AL - Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore filed a lawsuit late Wednesday night in an attempt to delay the certification of the special election he lost to Democrat Doug Jones December 12. The lawsuit alleges voter fraud and other irregularities that might have led to his defeat. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill certified the election Thursday afternoon, and Montgomery Circuit Judge Johnny Hardwick had denied Moore’s attempt at delaying the certification earlier in the day.

Moore's complaint requests that Merrill launch an investigation into the alleged fraud, and schedule a new election. Moore also filed an independent temporary restraining orderly prevent the certification of the election results until the "alleged election fraud is fully investigated."

Among the allegations by Moore include a precinct in Bullock County where supposedly several sample ballots were found at the polling location marked for Jones. As well, the Moore camp cited an incident where a Jones supporter made a comment that some of Moore's supporters pointed to as evidence of out-of-state voters taking part in Alabama's election.

"We came here all the way from different parts of the country as part of our fellowship," the man said. "And, all of us pitched in to vote and canvass together, and we got our boy elected!" Merrill said last week that his office was able to identify the man and determine that he has lived in Alabama for more than a year and is currently a registered voter in the state.

The TV station that initially broadcast his comments did not identify the man. Nor did Merrill, who said the video clip was "the most controversial issue regarding potential voter fraud" that has been reported to his office since the election. However, Moore's complaint states that Merrill did not look into the "fellowship" of people the Jones supporter referenced, and questions why Merrill did not release the name of the Jones supporter on the broadcast.

Another complaint by Moore is that Jefferson County took an "abnormal" amount of time sending in election results, and that Jefferson is a county that usually votes Republican. Jones won Jefferson County handily. As well, Moore claims hundreds of ballots were marked "Republican" straight party, then cast for Jones.

The complaint also states that Moore took a lie detector test regarding allegations of sexual misconduct and passed, although there is no explanation in the complaint as to how that relates to Moore's claim of voter fraud.

After Merrill certified the election results around 1 p.m. Thursday, Jones said he is looking forward to being sworn in to the Senate next week, "I am looking forward to going to work for the people of Alabama in the new year," Jones said. "As I said on election night, our victory marks a new chapter for our state and the nation. I will be an independent voice and work to find common ground with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get Washington back on track and fight to make our country a better place for all."

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