W.Va. Eyes Ballot Rules after Felon's Primary Run - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

W.Va. Eyes Ballot Rules after Felon's Primary Run

CHARLESTON (AP) -

An imprisoned felon's surprising showing in West Virginia's primary has officials reviewing the rules governing how candidates get their names on the ballot.

Keith Judd received around 41% of the vote Tuesday against President Barack Obama. The results further underscored the incumbent Democrat's unpopularity in the state.

Judd is serving a 17-year federal sentence in Texas for making threats. Senate Judiciary Chairman Corey Palumbo believes the Legislature should study the relevant laws and bar such candidates.

Secretary of State Natalie Tennant oversees West Virginia elections. Her office says they were limited to ensuring Judd filed his candidacy form and fee correctly.

Others disagree. But the U.S. Constitution sets the requirements for presidential candidates.

There's also precedent. Lyndon LaRouche ran in West Virginia's 1992 primary from prison, getting 3,141 votes.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.