Judge Rejects Claims Of Voter Fraud

The Republican loser in Maryland’s closest gubernatorial race in 75 years was denied a new election Friday despite claims of voter fraud.

Two months after the election and days before the inauguration of Democrat Parris Glendening, Circuit Judge Raymond G. Thieme said there was “simply no evidence of any systematic omissions or a pattern of misconduct throughout the state.”

Ellen Sauerbrey, a legislator who lost by 5,993 votes, had claimed the election was stolen through fraud or illegal voting, mainly in Baltimore. She said ballots were cast in the names of dead people, inmates and unregistered voters.

The Maryland Court of Appeals, the state’s top court, is expected to hear Sauerbrey’s appeal before Wednesday, when Glendening and Lt. Gov.elect Kathleen Kennedy Townsend are to be inaugurated. A ruling favorable to Sauerbrey could delay the ceremony.