[Publius]

Under state law, if petitioned, the court can throw out the results of an election if there has been such gross incompetance or fraud that the result cannot be trusted. But that's as far as the court's authority goes.

From that point on, the rest is up to the legislature. The legislature would have to set the date of a new election and set up the ground rules. For example, should the revote be a complete rerun with all candidates or a runoff with only the top two? Should the new election be coupled with vote reform, such as tightening up the rules for absentee ballots, abolishing provisional ballots and requiring picture ID at the polling place?

There would be a lot to do. Lt. Gov. Brad Owen would be acting governor until this could be all sorted out.

[SW6906]

One correction, our esteemed Publius: Governor Locke stays until a new Governor is sworn in. The Lt. Governor only serves if the Governor dies or is incapacitated.