WaPo:

At issue is a May 13 decision by the Board of Elections to let voters sign absentee-ballot request forms electronically instead of printing out the forms, signing them with a pen and e-mailing back a scanned attachment or mailing the forms through the post office. The all-digital process lets voters skip the step of printing out the forms.

 It also makes it easier for campaigns, parties and groups to submit requests on voters’ behalf — as Howell’s campaign does through his Web site.

Stimpson said the board acted beyond its authority and circumvented the legislature to make a sweeping change in the rules at Howell’s request. Howell’s spokesman called the claim ­“ridiculous.”