ACLU wants election

ACLU wants election

COLUMBUS -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation said it would file a suit in federal court today, asking that Gov. Bob Taft be ordered to call a special election to fill the vacancy of James A. Traficant Jr., expelled July 24 from the U.S. House of Representatives.

Both the U.S. Constitution and the Ohio Constitution mandate a special election, the ACLU said in a press release. Taft has said no special election would be called to fill the vacancy of Traficant, who began serving an eight-year prison term July 30. The 17th District seat has four contenders for the November general election, including Traficant running as an independent.