Federal court to rule on contested Ohio county election

CINCINNATI (AP) — A federal appeals court will make the next decision in a still-disputed juvenile court judge election in southwest Ohio.

Lawyers for Hamilton County and Republican John Williams are contesting a federal judge’s ruling that some 150 disputed ballots should be counted before the winner is declared, because they may have been cast at the wrong precinct because of poll worker errors.

A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday evening about the Nov. 2 election, where results gave Williams a 23-vote victory.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that lawyers for Democrat Tracie Hunter say the government must investigate any mistake that could disenfranchise voters.

The case has potentially broader implications for future Ohio elections as a challenge to whether state election laws adequately protect voters’ rights.