Reply #11: Mistakes were unintentional, state elections director says

[MelissaB]

Mistakes were unintentional, state elections director says

By Associated Press
Jun 01, 2005 - 08:22:27 am PDT

WENATCHEE -- The state elections director testified Tuesday he believes the problems in Washington's disputed 2004 governor's election were innocent mistakes. Outside court, a GOP attorney accused him of a cover-up.

"I saw inadvertent mistakes and errors of human beings who were working their hearts out," Nick Handy, a top official in the secretary of state's office, said in the election challenge trial.

Attorneys for the state Democratic Party questioned Handy as they defended Gov. Christine Gregoire's 129-vote victory. Last week, GOP attorneys argued that illegal votes, election officials' errors and fraud stole the election from Republican Dino Rossi.

Republicans want Chelan County Superior Court Judge John Bridges to invalidate the gubernatorial election, prompting a rematch between Gregoire and Rossi. Bridges is expected to rule on Friday, though both sides say they will appeal to the state Supreme Court if they lose.

More: http://www.tdn.com/articles/2005/06/02/area_news/news06.txt