McDaniel Asks for Records to be Opened by State Court

Jeff Amy

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – U.S. Senate challenger Chris McDaniel is taking his quest to view original voting records to the Mississippi Supreme Court.

McDaniel asked Monday for an emergency order forcing Harrison County Circuit Clerk Gayle Parker to let him see original copies of poll books. He’s trying to prove people who voted in the June 3 Democratic primary illegally voted in the June 24 Republican runoff won by incumbent U.S. Sen Thad Cochran.

McDaniel’s lawyers maintain state law gives them access to original records, including voter birth dates, to track who voted when. Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann and some circuit clerks say the law bans release of birthdates and McDaniel must accept copies with that information redacted.

McDaniel seeks to force a new election, arguing his loss was tainted by illegality.