Miller lifts opposition to certifying AK election

[December 28, 2010]  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) -- Alaska's certification of results showing U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski winning re-election over Republican rival Joe Miller could come as soon as Thursday.

Miller filed court papers Monday saying he no longer objects to the state giving its OK to the election results. That would clear the path for Murkowski to be in place in Congress when it convenes early next month.

But Miller still isn't satisfied with how write-in ballots were counted and isn't giving up. His attorneys asked federal judge Ralph Beistline to keep Miller's legal options open after Murkowski is seated, including a possible recount, if warranted.

Beistline is the one who has barred the state from certifying results. A spokeswoman for Gov. Sean Parnell says that if Beistline lifts his stay, certification paperwork could be signed Thursday.

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THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
AP's earlier story is below.

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JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) -- Republican Joe Miller has formally declared that he no longer opposes state officials certifying Alaska's U.S. Senate election.

In papers filed in federal court Monday, Miller says he doesn't object to state certification of the November election results, which show his rival, fellow Republican Lisa Murkowski, winning.

But Miller isn't entirely giving up. His attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline to keep alive his options -- including a possible recount or election contest -- once "all appeals have been exhausted."

Beistline barred the state from certifying the race until issues raised by Miller were addressed. Last week the state Supreme Court refused to overturn results favoring Murkowski and said it found "no remaining issues" that precluded certification.

Miller reiterated his claims the state erred in how it counted write-in ballots.

[Associated Press; By BECKY BOHRER]

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