In re Philadelphia Democratic Mayoralty Primary Election Contest

SCHMIDT, J.,

On May 15, 1979, primary elections were held throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Included in the primaries being held in the City of Philadelphia was the Democratic nomination for the office of Mayor. The two principal candidates seeking this nomination were Charles W. Bowser, Esq. and William J. Green, Esq. At 7 p.m. on May 15, this court sat as the Election Court, and until approximately 8:45 p.m. it appeared that it would be a very uneventful evening; however, at 8:45 p.m., in rapid succession, reports began to come in which alleged that voting machines were fading to…