September 20, 1997

Federal and Senate investigators say tax-exempt group called Vote Now '96, that promoted voter turnout in 1996 elections, received contributions from donors in close coordination with Democratic fund-raisers; say one contribution steered to group was once intended to aid Ron Carey in his campaign for re-election as president of teamsters' union; Vote Now '96 has come under increasing scrutiny by Federal prosecutors in New York in case in which three campaign aides to Carey pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges; in their teamsters inquiry, Federal investigators are focusing on reported arrangements to funnel large sums of money improperly between Democratic Party and teamsters (M)

List of major stories in Metro section

Federal Judge Denny Chin rejects Al Sharpton's bid for runoff in Democratic mayoral primary in New York City, leaving jubilant Ruth Messinger free to campaign against Mayor Rudolph Giuliani; Chin harshly criticizes Board of Elections for ineptitude and irregularities 'that appear to be regular feature' of city's elections; says board ought to have warned that primary was too close to call; Sharpton supporters protest in court; photos of two candidates (S)

Toronto Blue Jays defeat New York Yankes, 3-0; photo (M)

Sen Fred Thompson, chairman of Senate committee investigating campaign-finance abuses, abruptly changes course, announcing that panel would move its focus away from illegal activities to how political races are paid for; Republicans feared hearings were losing steam and could backfire, as public-opinion polls showed inquiry was increasingly perceived as nasty and partisan; Thompson and committee could strike more constructive image than they have in recent weeks with hearings on larger, systemic problems of campaign finance; photo (M)