Judge Denies Allen West's Request to Impound Ballots & Voting Machines

A Florida county judge on Friday denied Rep. Allen West's motion to impound ballots and voting machines, a blow for the Tea Party favorite facing defeat after Tuesday's election against Democrat Patrick Murphy.

The Palm Beach Post reported:

In circuit court, Judge David Crow said the West campaign’s motion was “premature” because official results have not yet been posted. Crow also said it is not the court’s role to set elections procedures. Those procedures already require securing ballots and other materials in case there is a recount.

A lawyer for West said that despite losing in court, “We’re very happy” because a lawyer for the Palm Beach County elections office gave assurances that process will be transparent.

The attorney for the elections office, Ken Spillias, said the measures sought by the West campaign are “already being done.”

Murphy had a slight, 2,456-vote lead over West in the unofficial vote total, still large enough to avoid an automatic recount, WTVJ-TV reported. West demanded a recount on Wednesday following what he called "disturbing irregularities" in St. Lucie County, one of three counties in the congressional district.

As TheBlaze previously reported, West held a more than 300-vote lead over Murphy in Palm Beach County on Thursday as initial votes were still being counted.

An attorney for Murphy called West's legal actions "a political stunt."

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​RELATED:

• Source: Allen West Now Leads Initial Vote Count in One Fla. County
• 'This Race Is Far From Decided': Allen West Wants a Recount