Republicans win ballot placement battle with the Supremes. SOTS Merrill responds

The Supreme Court today ruled that since Republican Tom Foley got more votes than Democrat Dannel Malloy in the 2010 gubernatorial election – Malloy won with the margin provided by those voting on the Working Families Partyline  – the GOP gets the top of the ballot in this fall’s elections.

Here’s the response from Secretary of the State Denise Merrill: “”While I am surprised at the outcome today, I am confident that my office interpreted the statute in good faith and with due diligence.
My staff interpreted the law back in 2011, for the municipal election ballot that year, relying on recent precedent, thorough research and a careful analysis of the statute. The Supreme Court disagrees with our view, and I respect the court’s final decision in this matter. The Republican Party will be on the top line of the ballot in accordance with the Court’s order.
I am pleased that the decision comes in time for absentee ballots and Election Day ballots to be accurately formatted, printed and mailed to absentee voters and the towns across the state. With the timing of this decision, we now feel confident that absentee ballots should be available for distribution by town clerks by the October 5th statutory deadline.
We can now get on with the important business of administering an election that is vitally important to our nation and state.”