Jones’ Alabama win is official as rival Moore’s challenge fails
GOP candidate for Senate has refused to concede
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama’s next senator will be Democrat Doug Jones. Thursday, the Alabama State Canvassing Board certified the results of the special election Dec. 12 for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Jones is to be sworn in to his position Jan. 3.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Attorney General Steve Marshall and Secretary of State John Merrill were there for the Alabama State Canvassing Board meeting, which reviews and certifies the results of state and federal elections.
The decision came after an 11th-hour attempt by former Republican candidate Roy Moore to freeze the Canvassing Board’s proceedings. Moore filed a lawsuit Wednesday night, which named Merrill as a defendant and requested a temporary restraining order to stop certification. A judge struck down the lawsuit shortly before the board’s meeting.
Moore, who lost to Jones by about 20,000 voters, has refused to concede the race. He has continued to solicit contributions from supporters for an “election integrity fund.”
Moore’s complaint also names Jefferson County Probate Judge Alan King as a defendant. The lawsuit cites an “implausible” difference between his vote totals and general Republican ballot results in Jefferson County.
Moore’s complaint noted the higherthan-expected turnout in the race.
It includes an affidavit from a Mont- gomery poll worker, who said she saw an usually high number of out-of-state licenses at a polling place.
Although Alabama voters must present identification at polling places, identification does not have to match voters’ registered address. A valid state-issued ID from any other state can be used at Alabama polls, according to the secretary of State’s official voter ID guide.
Moore’s loss was an upset for the Republican Party in a deep-red state. A contentious figure before the Senate race, Moore faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and assault involving teenage girls decades ago.
In his court filing, Moore said he took a polygraph test after the election to deny the allegations from three of his accusers.
Early Thursday, Jones filed a motion to dismiss Moore’s suit.