Jennings Files Suit

Christine Jennings lawyer Jess Liggio implied he would seek a court order. It's now official.

As Sarasota County elections officials finished their first day of recounting votes in the District 13 congressional race, Democratic candidate Christine Jennings filed a lawsuit to protect the county's election material from tampering or destruction.

Attorneys for Jennings announced Monday evening they had filed an emergency petition in circuit court against Kathy Dent, supervisor of elections in Sarasota County, to protect the electronic voting machines, data and other material.

The announcement capped a day of vote recounting that grew tense at times as activists challenged the protocol surrounding the process.

Vern Buchanan automatically becomes the winner if the recount isn't finished on Wednesday. They could be another manual recount if the automated recount shows a 2.5 percent or less difference. What a mess.