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Behind the Headlines: Investigating the absentee voting process in the 78th House District race

Doug Moore, a reporter with the st. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Kelly Moffitt | St. Louis Public Radio
Doug Moore, reporter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The contested 78th House District race between Rep. Penny Hubbard and Bruce Franks came back into the spotlight this week as the first days of testimony about irregularities in the absentee ballots took place in front of Judge Rex Burlison in a downtown St. Louis courtroom.

On Aug. 5, 2016, Hubbard beat challenger Franks by 90 votes—that margin of victory came totally from absentee ballots. Franks, represented by attorney Dave Roland, sued in order to force a new election. They said irregularities in absentee ballots made the election invalid.

Earlier this week, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch released an investigation into the absentee ballot issues, which found numerous problems in the absentee voting system in this race.

On Friday’s “Behind the Headlines,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Doug Moore, one of the reporters on the investigation, joined St. Louis on the Air to discuss the findings.

Some background on the Franks-Hubbard saga:

Franks sues over outcome of 78th District primary

On the Trail: As Franks-Hubbard saga continues, debate emerges over releasing absentee applications

Judge considers new election in 78th House District race

St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary Edwards, Alex Heuer and Kelly Moffitt give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region. 

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Kelly Moffitt joined St. Louis Public Radio in 2015 as an online producer for St. Louis Public Radio's talk shows St. Louis on the Air.