Stephen Alves appeals election to Supreme Court

PROVIDENCE -- State Sen. Stephen Alves has filed an appeal with the Rhode Island Supreme Court, asking it to overturn the Board of Elections and order a new primary election in the race he lost.

Alves, of West Warwick, lost his seat to political newcomer Michael Pinga in the Democratic primary earlier this month.

A recount showed that Pinga received 19 more votes in the District 9 race. The Board of Elections upheld the recount and certified the results last week.

Alves' attorney, Angel Taveras, said the request is based on the fact that some Republicans voted in the Democratic primary, that provisional and mail ballots were not included in the recount, and that a handful of ballots do not have corresponding ballot applications.

Taveras said he expects word on the case by next week.