Judge dismisses Tuscaloosa School Board election challenge

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - A Tuscaloosa County Circuit judge has dismissed a case involving a city school board candidate who accused University of Alabama fraternity and sorority members of manipulating the election. In a 14-page opinion, Judge James Roberts cited insufficient evidence as the reason he couldn't overturn and nullify the city's school board election. Kelly Horwitz has claimed that students were pressured to vote or received offers of alcohol, concert tickets and other perks in the election she lost on Aug. 27. She also questioned whether some of the students who voted had lived at the addresses where they were registered for at least 30 days before the election, which is a requirement. Horwitz's allegations focused on a shadowy organization called "The Machine" which is composed of members of various Greek organizations.