ACLU seeks independent review of Anchorage election
Eric Christopher Adams | Apr 05, 2012
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/aclu-seeks-independent-review-anchorage-election (http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/aclu-seeks-independent-review-anchorage-election)
Update Thursday 7:30 p.m.: The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska has called for a special counsel to review Anchorage's municipal election in order to remove "even the appearance of a conflict of interest," according to executive director Jeff Mittman.
In a press release, Mittman said the ACLU had received "credible evidence" over the last two days of voter disenfranchisement "and some potential errors by the Clerk's Office in the conduct of the election."
The ACLU recommended "an impartial review of the election" by a retired judge, a former member of the Attorney General's office, or some other unbiased juror.
Currently, review of the election is being conducted by the Municipal Attorney's Office. However, the ACLU contends that's neither fair nor legal.
The measure was defeated by a margin of 9,000 votes in unofficial reported results (58% to 42%).
There was a higher than expected turnout. Backers of the non-discrimination measure predicted it would be a close result.