Board certifies Doug Jones as winner in Senate election

The Alabama State Canvassing Board on Thursday certified the results of the 2017 U.S. Senate special election, officially tapping Doug Jones as the state's next senator. 

The certification follows an 11th-hour attempt by former Republican candidate Roy Moore to freeze the Canvassing Board's proceedings with a lawsuit and request for a temporary restraining order against certification. The lawsuit was struck down shortly before the certification by Judge Johnny Hardwick.

Jones is expected to be sworn in on Jan. 3. 

"I am looking forward to going to work for the people of Alabama in the new year," Jones said in a statement following the certification. "As I said on election night, our victory marks a new chapter for our state and the nation. I will be an independent voice and work to find common ground with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get Washington back on track and fight to make our country a better place for all." 

Gov. Kay Ivey, Attorney General Steve Marshall and Secretary of State John Merrill were present for meeting of the Canvassing Board, which reviews and certifies results of state and federal elections. 

More:Judge strikes down Moore's request to halt Jones certification

Moore, who lost to Jones by 21,924 votes, has thus far refused to concede the race. He also continued to solicit contributions from supporters for an "election integrity fund."

Moore's complaint named Merrill and Jefferson County Probate Judge Alan King as a defendant, alleging an "implausible" difference between his vote totals and general Republican ballot results in Jefferson County. 

More:Who is Doug Jones? A journey from Fairfield to the U.S. Senate

The complaint alleges various instances of voter fraud, including an affidavit from a Montgomery poll worker who said she saw an usually high number of out-of-state licenses at the Vaughn Park Church of Christ polling place. 

While Alabama voters must present identification at polling places, ID does not have to match voters' registered address. A valid state-issued ID from any other state can be used at Alabama polls, according to the Secretary of State's official voter ID guide.

"Election fraud experts across the country have agree that this was a fraudulent election," Moore said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

Merrill said Thursday his office received 115 complaints of voter fraud since the Dec. 12 election, 85 of which have been fully investigated and closed with no fraud found. Investigations into the remaining complaints are ongoing. 

“I can say this, I don’t think there is any doubt from the minds of anybody that’s in the room that if there was ever a question about whether Alabama conducts honest, fair election safe and secure elections, that question has been eliminated,” Merrill said.

Most of the complaints stemmed from four alleged incidents which have been disproved, Merrill said. 

Rumors of five busloads of African-Americans coming into Mobile to vote, as well as vans of out-of-state voters who were arrested by local police, were "completely fabricated," Merrill said. Another story circulating on social media alleged voter fraud in a town that doesn't exist. 

"We have had an inordinate number of calls from people who have asked us not to certify the elections today, and hardly any of them that have been introduced to me have offered a reason for non-certification except for the fact that they're disappointed with the results of the election process," Merrill said.

Moore's Dec. 12 loss was a shocking upset for the Republican party in a deep-red state. A contentious figure prior to the Senate race, Moore faced down multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and assault involving teenage girls decades ago.

In his court filing, Moore states he took a polygraph test after the election to deny the allegations from three of his accusers. 

In a statement released after the certification, Moore continued to call the election "fraudulent" and framed his race as a fight against the Democratic and Republican establishments in Washington. According to the Secretary of State's Office, Moore can file and pay for a recount within 48 hours.

"I have stood for the truth about God and the Constitution for the people of Alabama," Moore said. "I have no regrets. To God be the glory."