Judge criticizes Alexander but doesn't remove him from ballot

[Chomskyite]

http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/082304/new_alexander001.shtml

Judge: Qualifying must re-open in congressional race
By ADAM NOSSITER
Associated Press writer

PLAQUEMINE -- A state judge called Rep. Rodney Alexander's last-minute re-election switch an attempt to subvert the election process and ordered that the ballot be re-opened for new candidates.

Alexander, who first signed up as a Democrat then switched to Republican just minutes before the qualifying deadline, was not present at the Monday hearing before District Judge Allen Edwards.

The ruling did not set a date for the new sign-up period. He said the new dates should be set after appeals have been exhausted, although lawyers for both Democrats and Republicans seemed somewhat pleased with the outcome and neither side called immediately for appeals.

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