A federal judge in Alexandria on Wednesday evening rejected Democrats’ emergency bid to halt the State Board of Elections from certifying the vote totals in House District 28, increasing pressure on state elections officials to act in the Fredericksburg-area contest. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III in Alexandria held a hearing on the case by telephone, then denied Democrats’ motion for a temporary restraining order. The top Republican in the House of Delegates said that the Democrats’ “effort to litigate their way to victory” is failing.
“We appreciate the court’s immediate attention and unequivocal ruling,” said Del. Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, who is in line to become speaker of the House in January if Republicans maintain a slight edge in the chamber.
… The elections board was scheduled to meet to certify the results on Wednesday morning, but the elections officials announced late Tuesday that they had postponed the meeting until next Monday.