Groups challenges rule on touchscreen recounts

TALLAHASSEE, FL (AP) A group is suing the state to reverse a rule that tells elections supervisors they don't have to include touchscreen ballots in manual recounts.

The Voter Protection Coalition Round Table filed suit today in Tallahassee. The group says the rule ignores the fact that machines can malfunction or be tampered with.

Among organizations participating in the lawsuit are the American Civil Liberties Union, Common Cause Florida and the Florida Voting League.

The suit challenges a determination made by the state Division of Elections in April that touchscreen ballots do not fall into the state's recount laws because they leave no question about how voters intended to vote.