So if the judge rules our way, what's next? Gregoire appeals to the Supreme Court? What if they rule in our favor? Does Rossi automatically get the office?
There are three ways for the judge to rule.
1) Election results with Gregoire winning stand.
2) Election results using the standards used in every other district stand. Rossi wins.
3) Election results voided, new election ordered.
The most likely result in a Republican favor is the second. This is because the judicial order allowing for Kings County to use a different set of standards from the other counties for counting votes was contrary to Washington State law. This court ordered exception shouldn't be allowed to stand up to an appeal.
More likely than not, the judge will select either options 1 or 3, if he is liberal leaning.
I don't think this issue can be appealed any higher since this would have to be a State constitutional matter, and I don't see how this could be rephrased to give the Supreme Court jurisdiction over the matter. A lawyer's opinion on this could help, if any lawyers would like to chime in at this point.
On the other hand, if the judge chooses option 1, then he sets a dangerous precedent that will threaten the foundation of our Republic. A political party should not be able to, in this day and age, manipulate the ballots and the standards, when the law expressly states that the same standards for counting the ballots must be used in every district.
The judiciary should be held accountable to the laws, and they should be impeached when they use their powers to circumvent or ignore the laws. It is the responsibility of the legislature to make laws, not the judiciary.
If the judge rules our way, count on an appeal to the WA State Supreme.
If the State Supreme rules in our favor, look for a re-vote in November. Rossi has said publicly that he won't accept the governorship outright. He wants a re-vote.
If the Dems try an appeal to the USSC, I doubt they'll take it.