Rep. Beilenson Claims Win; Sybert Charges Voter Fraud

Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Woodland Hills) declared victory Friday over Republican candidate Rich Sybert, but Sybert said he may ask Congress to deny Beilenson his seat on grounds of election fraud.

With some ballots still uncounted in the 24th Congressional District race, Beilenson campaign manager Craig Miller said he expects the nine-term congressman to maintain or increase his lead of 3,206 votes--just five more than when election officials finished the first tally of ballots on election night.

Sybert, 42, a former top aide to Gov. Pete Wilson, acknowledged that the vote totals so far favor Beilenson, 62, but refused to concede the election. Sybert said he and his campaign staff are examining the possibility of suing Beilenson or petitioning the GOP-controlled House of Representatives to refuse to seat him.

Sybert said poll-watchers for his campaign reported that ballot boxes were left unlocked at some Encino polling places and that absentee voter lists were not maintained, raising the possibility that some voters cast two ballots in an area he described as a Beilenson stronghold.

Sybert also charged that brochures distorting his positions had been mailed to Republican voters the day before the election by two groups falsely purporting to represent the GOP.