Republicans in California, US reacted angrily to Tuesday's court ruling that delays the vote on the future of the state's Democratic Governor Gray Davis. The Ninth Circuit Federal Appeals Court ruled that the ballot should be put off because of concerns that outdated voting machines would disproportionately affect racial minorities. The election -- scheduled for 7 October -- was triggered when critics of Davis' handling of the economy collected enough signatures from voters. Republicans are said to be keen to regain control of the powerful state ahead of next year's presidential election. All parties have been given seven days to lodge their appeal.