In 46th State Senate Election, 331 Ballots Still Not Counted
Albany, NY – Voters whose ballots were laid aside and have yet to be counted in the race to represent the 46th State Senate district gathered in Albany on Friday to deliver more than 5,000 petition signatures collected this week. On Monday, the Appellate Division – Third Department of the New York State Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case. The petitions ask that the court rule that the 331 ballots laid aside be opened and counted.
“I’ve always believed that voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, which is why I volunteer as a poll worker on elections day – to ensure that voters can cast their ballots,” said Carole Furman, an Ulster County poll worker whose ballot was deemed invalid by a Montgomery County judge. “I hope that this appellate court will rule in favor of justice for me, for my fellow poll workers, and for everyone who values their right to vote.”
Ms. Furman was one of 54 Ulster County poll workers who were given their absentee ballots by Board of Elections officials prior to the date that absentee ballots were supposed to be accepted. Because the ballots were cast early, a Montgomery County judge rules the ballots invalid, and they have yet to be counted. Ms. Furman, along with another poll worker, Barbara Bravo, authored a petition on SignOn.org which garnered more than 6,600 signatures from voters across New York State. The signatures were delivered to the court in two batches, the first this past Friday, and the second immediately following today’s press conference.
“A judge disqualifying my ballot for an inconsequential error on the part of the Board of Elections is a direct violation of my Constitutional rights to participate in my democracy,” said Matthew Rudikoff, a small business owner from the Hudson Valley. “How can we trust our government to represent us if our votes don’t count? I hope that this court will rule in support of justice, for me, and for all the voters of the 46th Senate District who want a fair election.”
Mr. Rudikoff applied and received his absentee ballot in person at the Ulster County Board of Elections office in Kingston. He filled out his ballot and returned it to the staff person, who indicated it was complete and accepted. He did not sign the outside of the envelope, and did not realize he was supposed to given that he was voting in person. His ballot was ruled invalidated by the Montgomery County judge because the outer envelope was not signed.
“Voters in the 46th Senate District are counting on this court to rule in favor of democracy,” said Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York. “The intent of voters should trump the insignificant, minor issues with their ballots.”
“A vote is one of the most sacred and powerful things we have in our democracy, and these residents of the 46th district have had that right taken away from them,” said Michael Kink, Executive Director of the Strong Economy for All coalition. “It’s not just an assault on the rights of these disenfranchised voters. Preventing these votes from being counted hurts the legitimacy of our government.”
In addition to Ms. Furman and Mr. Rudikoff, other disenfranchised voters are available to speak with reporters. Please contact Charlie Albanetti at 518.595.9047 to be put in touch with them.
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