Overview
- The State Ballot Law Commission struck 1,279 of Anne Manning Martin’s 10,692 signatures and 1,021 of Michael Walsh’s 10,677 signatures, ruling those pages contained likely forgeries that left both short of the 10,000 signatures needed to qualify.
- The commission cited a handwriting expert who found many of Walsh’s signatures were likely written by the same person and court filings allege signature gatherer Joe Bronske forged entries and used a list of registered Republicans; Bronske repeatedly pleaded the Fifth in depositions.
- Essex Superior Court Judge Jeffrey T. Karp said challengers’ objections appear to have flaws under the state’s certified-mail notice rule and he has reserved a decision that could reinstate the candidates despite the commission’s factual findings.
- Norfolk and Plymouth county district attorneys are investigating the signature allegations in Massachusetts while the candidates deny wrongdoing and continue their court challenge.
- Separately, St. Johns County, Florida, prosecutors have charged five people, including three elected officials, with producing a false Republican voter guide before the 2024 election, highlighting broader scrutiny of election-related materials and local officials.