Citing fraud, the suit had asked the court to examine several problems with voting procedures in the hopes of overturning President Bush's victory in the state.

The election turned on Ohio's 20 Electoral College votes, and not until preliminary results were available early Nov. 3 did Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry concede.

Attorney Cliff Arnebeck, who represented the voters, wanted the court to examine several Election Day problems such as long lines, a shortage of voting machines in predominantly minority neighborhoods and problems with computer equipment.

Arnebeck said Tuesday the voters couldn't expect to win the suit given the congressional certification of the electoral votes last week and the inauguration next week.

The voters' challenge to the re-election of state Chief Justice Thomas Moyer was also dismissed at their request. © 2005 The Associated Press

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