California Contender Cries Foul Over Delay

The Republican financing the campaign to unseat Gray Davis, the governor of California, claimed yesterday that a federal appeal court ruling delaying the vote was the work of a liberal conspiracy.

The court in San Francisco ruled on Monday that the election should be delayed because the antiquated voting system used by nearly half the electorate could disenfranchise more than 40,000 voters.

Congressman Darrell Issa said the ruling was made by a "panel of three liberal judges, all appointed by Democrats".

It was illogical to question the voting system that had been used to elect Mr Davis in November, he added.

The challenge was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on the question of the punchcard ballot, the system that led to the "hanging chad" fiasco in the presidential election in Florida in 2000.

The court ruled that with 44% of the electorate using the punchcards the chance of disenfranchisement in a close election was too great to ignore.

Punchcards are due to be replaced in time for the next state election, on March 2, which is the likeliest new date for the "recall" vote if the postponement survives a probably appeal to the supreme court.

Mr Davis is seen as the likeliest beneficiary of the delay.