Steve Burns
WMAL.com
RICHMOND – (WMAL) The Virginia Board of Elections moved to certify results in the hotly-contested 28th House District race, but the election is far from settled, with control of the House of Delegates hanging in the balance.
In the 82nd District, spanning parts of Fredericksburg and Stafford County, Republican Bob Thomas leads Democrat Josh Cole in the race to replace retiring House Speaker Bill Howell. However, elections officials confirmed nearly 150 voters were assigned to the wrong House District and given an incorrect ballot on Election Day.
Since the revelation days after Election Day, Democrats and Republicans have volleyed lawsuits. In striking down a motion to delay certification by Democrats last week, a judge left open the possibility of holding a special election to rectify the issue.
Now that the results are certified, recounts can be officially requested as well.
“The State Board acknowledged today what we have long known: the election results in House District 28 are marred by irregularities,” Marc Elias, a lawyer for the Virginia House Democratic Caucus, said in a statement Monday. “…we disagree with the Board’s decision to certify in spite of these irregularities, and we will continue to assess our options to remedy this wrong.”
There could be big implications to any changes. As of now, Republicans hold a 51-49 advantage in the House. A 50-50 split could lead to paralysis in the House or a convoluted power-sharing agreement. Democrats have not controlled it in nearly 20 years.
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