Frye's Supporters Drop Suit to Nullify Election

Supporters of Councilwoman Donna Frye have dropped their lawsuit attempting to overturn the November election in which Mayor Dick Murphy was declared the winner over her.

The suit alleged that empty oval ballots for Frye should have been counted, which would have made her the winner. Thousands of voters wrote in Frye's name but failed to fill in an oval on the line beside the name.

A San Diego County Superior Court judge rejected the lawsuit, but Frye's backers filed an appeal.

Attorney Fredric Woocher said Murphy's decision to quit obviates the appeal. Frye has announced her candidacy for the July 26 election for mayor.