HARRISBURG — Ralph Nader said Thursday he will ask Pennsylvania's highest court to reopen a case stemming from a successful effort to remove him from the 2004 presidential ballot, citing allegations that state Democratic legislative officials illegally underwrote the effort with taxpayer money.

In question is a 2006 court ruling that ordered Nader and running mate Peter Miguel Camejo to pay $81,000 in court costs of the voters who challenged signatures on his nominating petitions.

Nader said he wants the state Supreme Court to either vacate the decision or send it back to a lower court, and called the ballot challenge "one of the most fraudulent and deceitful exercises ever perpetrated on Pennsylvania voters."

"The conduct of the Pennsylvania Democrats, through their criminally indicted representatives, shocks the conscience of those who believe in government of the people, by the people and for the people," Nader said during a Capitol news conference.

Nader's attorney, Oliver Hall, said he expected to file a petition with the court "within the next day or two."

A state grand jury alleged earlier this month that as many as 50 taxpayer-paid legislative employees reviewed signatures on Nader's petitions in an effort to disqualify him from the ballot.

Twelve people connected to the state House Democratic caucus were charged July 10 in an alleged wide-ranging scheme to use taxpayer-funded employees, equipment and other resources in political campaigns.

Democrats mounted the ballot challenge out of fear that Nader's independent candidacy would hurt Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's chances of prevailing against President Bush.