[JURIST] A California appeals court has blocked the certification of election results in the San Diego mayoral race, leaving the race undecided and possibly reopening a separate suit over the legality of the election. Unofficial results show current Mayor Dick Murphy leading city Councilwoman Donna Frye by 2,108 votes. The 4th District Court of Appeal ordered the freeze on certification Tuesday, though it did not explain why, and it requested briefs from the parties be filed for a possible Friday hearing. A swearing-in ceremony was set for Monday, but it increasingly appears as though the result may not be determined by then, in which case Murphy will remain in the position until the result is settled, an opinion by the city attorney concluded. The San Diego Union-Tribune has more.

Previously on JURIST’s Paper Chase:

• Judge refuses to intervene in election dispute in San Diego mayor race
• Judge to decide outcome of San Diego mayoral race