A judge in Florida has sided with GOP Governor Rick Scott who is currently running for Senate. The judge stated that Broward County was in violation of the state constitution and granted immediate access to monitor the counting of ballots.

According to Fox News:

A state judge on Friday sided with Florida Republican Rick Scott in ordering that Republicans be granted “immediate” access to requested information about ballots in Broward County, amid explosive lawsuits against the county’s top election official.

In their lawsuit against Broward, Scott – the Republican gubernatorial incumbent narrowly leading in the state’s race for a U.S. Senate seat  — and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) allege that officials there are hiding critical information about the number of votes cast and counted.

In an emergency court hearing on Friday afternoon, state Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips ruled there has “been a violation of the Florida constitution,” as well as the state’s public records act, by not turning over requested records.

Phillips ordered Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes to allow for the “immediate inspection” and “photocopying” of the requested records no later than 7 p.m. Friday.

Republicans have warned of fraud by local election officials and have demanded transparency in the process. This ruling helps ensure that the election will be decided as fairly as possible, given the time that has elapsed.