As the provisional ballots were being examined, a federal judge yesterday denied a request by third-party presidential candidates who wanted to force a recount of all ballots even before the official count was finished.

Judge James G. Carr ruled in Toledo that the candidates have a right under Ohio law to a recount, but said it can wait. The judge wrote that he saw no reason to interfere with the final stages of Ohio's electoral process. Officials have said the results will be certified by Dec. 6.

On Tuesday, 1,086 of the 4,134 provisional ballots cast in Lorain County were disqualified by elections officials, and of 24,472 provisional ballots cast in Cuyahoga County, 8,099 were rejected. Of Ohio's 88 counties, Cuyahoga had the most provisional ballots.

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- david | 4:28 AM