Judge denies electronic voting challenge to March 2 elections
JIM WASSERMAN, Associated Press Writer

(02-18) 15:39 PST SACRAMENTO (AP)

A Sacramento County Superior Court judge denied a legal challenge Wednesday to California's March 2 elections over allegations that new electronic voting systems are vulnerable to hackers.

Judge Raymond Cadei denied a temporary restraining order sought against electronic voter machine maker Diebold Election Systems, Inc., saying there isn't enough evidence of possible threats to justify interfering in an election only 13 days away.

A group of computer programmers and California voters alleged that new electronic touch-screen voting machines being used in at least 14 counties on March 2 may be unreliable, insecure and could disrupt election tallies.

Forty minutes into Wednesday's hearing, Cadei said he wasn't convinced "that there is a serious actual threat to the election process" and ended a threat looming over elections that will determine new candidates for the Legislature and decide several ballot propositions and presidential candidates.

County officials, who maintain their new systems are safe, expressed relief over the ruling. Contra Costa County Clerk Stephen Weir said, "We're 12 and a half days before a major election. You can't change the rules of the game at this stage."