WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives, by unanimous consent, passed a resolution to dismiss the contest filed in Florida’s 13th District.

After losing to Representative Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., by 369 votes in November of 2006, democratic challenger Christine Jennings filed a contest with the Committee on House Administration claiming, “the electronic voting machines in Sarasota County failed to record votes in this race.” According to the filing submitted by Jennings, the electronic voting machines malfunctioned, causing an undervote in Sarasota County. However, an extensive 10-month investigation conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) provided further confirmation that the machines accurately recorded election ballots.

The GAO’s findings matched those of a Florida state audit, which found no problems with the machines, as well as two recounts.

“With the GAO’s final and objective confirmation, along with the many other objective studies, today’s resolution will finally put Christine Jennings’ challenge to rest for the people of the 13th District of Florida,” Task Force Member, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., stated. “More importantly, we send a strong message to the American people that there was no malfunction of voting machines, and the results of the 2006 election in this particular election have been, and always were, correct.”

For more information, please contact the Committee press office at (202) 225-8281.