State lawmakers will decide who won the disputed election in Stratford, following a ruling today from the Connecticut Supreme Court.

"We vacate the trial court's injunction," said Chief Justice Richard Robinson.

With that ruling, Democrat Phil Young officially won an election that's dragged on for six weeks.

"I think that the court came down with the right decision," said state Rep. Phil Young (D-Stratford).

But it's a short victory. Next month, Connecticut lawmakers will decide who won a Stratford state House race separated by just 13 votes. The issue is that 76 people got the wrong ballot.

"Everybody has a right to one vote, and those 76 people did not get the right to vote," says Jim Feehan, the Republican state House candidate.

Republicans wanted the Supreme Court to order a whole new election.

"No legislator should make a decision as to what 76 people wanted to do in voting," said state Rep. Themis Klarides, House Republican leader.

"If there is an unfair decision by the House in this case, then everybody who votes for that unfair decision will have to face voters in 21 months," said William Bloss, Young's attorney.

 

Young says he's ready to get back to work and hoping he keeps his job

"It hasn't been fun," says Young. "Let me put it that way. But I'm continuing to do work."

The last time the Legislature decided an election was 1984, so no one's exactly sure if they even have the power to call for a new election. Republicans are deciding whether to refile their case in federal court.