The Baltimore and state election boards now say they have time to remove Sen. Clarence W. Blount's name from voting machines before the Democratic primary.

Blount lost a suit in court on Wednesday filed against him by Del. Frank D. Boston Jr., a candidate for Blount's Senate seat. An Anne Arundel County Circuit judge ruled that Blount did not live in West Baltimore's 41st Legislative District and should not be on the ballot for his Senate seat. Blount has appealed that ruling.

The boards had originally argued in the case that Blount's name could not be removed from the ballot in time for the Sept. 15 election. Without taking a position on Blount's residency, the board asked the judge to deny Boston's request.

In a letter to Robert M. Bell, chief judge of the Court of Appeals, the elections boards' attorneys said they believe that Blount's name can be removed if the boards are told four days before a public inspection, which could be held as late as Sept. 8. They have asked the court to render a decision on Blount's appeal no later than Sept. 2.

A change of the ballot could occur as late as Sept. 3.

Pub Date: 8/29/98