Roy Moore files lawsuit to delay Alabama Senate results
An election complaint was filed Wednesday on behalf of former U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore and his campaign in the Circuit Court of Montgomery, Ala. in an effort to block state officials from declaring Democrat Doug Jones the official victor in Alabama’s Senate special election. In the complaint, Moore alleged there was voter fraud and called on Secretary of State John Merrill to postpone the certification of the Dec. 12 election results until a thorough investigation has concluded. “This is not a Republican or Democrat issue as election integrity should matter to everyone,” Moore said in a statement late Wednesday night announcing the lawsuit. “We call on Secretary of State Merrill to delay certification until there is a thorough investigation of what three independent election experts agree took place: election fraud sufficient to overturn the outcome of the election.” According to Moore, three national election integrity experts reached the same independent conclusion: “with a reasonable degree of statistical and mathematical certainty… election fraud occurred.” However, Merrill has gone on record saying it is “highly unlikely” that Jones would not be certified as the winner, given the unofficial results: — Jones received 671,151 votes (50 percent), to Moore’s 650,436 votes (48 percent). With an additional 22,819 (2 percent) write-ins. Merrill must now certify the votes, which includes counting provisional and military ballots. He said the certification process will start no earlier than December 26, and not later than Jan. 3. Certification is expected to be complete Thursday, Dec. 28.
Donald Trump calls on Roy Moore to concede Senate race
President Donald Trump called on Republican Roy Moore to concede the Alabama U.S. Senate after losing to Democrat Doug Jones by more than 20,000 votes Tuesday night. “I think he should,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House on Friday morning. “He tried. I want to support, always, I want to support the person running. We need the seat. We would like to have the seat.” Since his defeat, Moore has refused to concede, insisting on the official vote count from Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, and that provisional and military ballots be counted. “In this race, we have not received the final count to include military and provisional ballots,” Moore said in a video statement. “This has been a very close race, and we are awaiting certification by the secretary of state.” The certification process, by the Secretary of State, will start no earlier than December 26, and not later than Jan. 3. Merrill has said it is “highly unlikely” that Jones would not be certified as the winner, given the unofficial results: — Jones received 671,151 votes (50 percent), to Moore’s 650,436 votes (48 percent). With an additional 22,819 (2 percent) write-ins. The Moore campaign can call for a recount, but would have to pay for it unless the margin is within half a percentage point. One of Moore’s most ardent supporters, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, has joined Trump in calling on the former candidate to concede, , a source familiar with the conversation told CNN.
Roy Moore refuses to concede, saying ‘immorality sweeps over our land’
Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore refused to concede the special U.S. Senate election in a fiery video statement released Wednesday night, warning Alabamians “the heart and soul of our country is at stake.” “Today, we no longer recognize the universal truth that God is the author of our life and liberty,” the former Republican candidate said. “Abortion, sodomy and materialism have taken the place of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Moore lost the election to Democrat Doug Jones Tuesday night, but in the video, Moore said his campaign is still waiting for the official vote count from Alabama officials. But Moore believes that provisional and military ballots could still swing the race in his favor. “This has been a very close race and we are awaiting certification by the Secretary of State,” Moore Said in the video. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill has said it is “highly unlikely” that Jones would not be certified as the winner, given the unofficial results: — Jones received 671,151 votes (50 percent), to Moore’s 650,436 votes (48 percent). With an additional 22,819 (2 percent) write-ins. The Moore campaign can call for a recount, but would have to pay for it unless the margin is within half a percentage point. In the video, Moore went on to assert the political process has been “tainted” by “baseless” allegations and money from outside groups. “Immorality sweeps over our land. Even our political process has been affected with baseless and false allegations, which have become more relevant than the true issues which affect our country,” Moore said in the four minute and 46 second video. “This election was tainted by over $50 million from outside groups who want to retain power in their own corrupt ideology.” Watch Moore’s statement below: Read Moore’s full remarks below: Tomorrow, my wife and I will celebrate our 3
