TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit arising from a close Kansas House race last year and the losing incumbent’s attempt to contact voters whose ballots were set aside.
U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten ruled Thursday that a change in state election laws this year made the case moot.
Former state and Topeka Democrat Rep. Ann Mah wanted to keep the lawsuit alive to review new issues about contacting voters after balloting.
Mah lost her bid for re-election last year by 21 votes out of almost 10,800 cast.
After the initial vote count, Mah sued successfully to learn the names of voters whose ballots had not been counted, so she might them help correct flaws.
Lawmakers rewrote state law to prevent such a move again.