MEG KINNARD
Associated Press
 
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina's Supreme Court has ordered state police to return ballots and voting machines to Richland County officials so that they can be tallied.
 
The court said in an order issued Tuesday afternoon that county officials have until noon Friday to canvass the votes and give the results to state authorities, who will certify them that day.
 
The high court vacated a circuit judge's ruling ordering that all votes in Richland County be recounted after an Election Day disaster that included hours-long voting lines and broken machines. State Democrats had wanted votes recounted but dropped that request earlier Tuesday.
 
The justices did note that their order wouldn't prevent county commissioners from ordering a recount if they determined one was required.