Rockland County, NY – State Supreme Court Justice Margaret Garvey on Tuesday invalidated Ramapo’s referendums on establishing a ward system and adding two Town Board members, ordering that a new vote be held.
In her 14-page decision, Garvey cited the confusion caused by Ramapo Town Clerk Christian Sampson surrounding absentee ballots and who was eligible to cast ballots. She didn’t offer a time frame for a new vote.
The petition by Michael Parietti and Robert Romanowski raised questions of impropriety by Sampson in the handling of affidavit ballots, including reviewing applications and rejecting some of them.
Parietti said the judge didn’t react well to the town comment that officials knew non-registered voters could cast ballots but didn’t inform the public because they claimed they wanted people to register with ehe Board of Elections.
Parietti said they have not decided whether to appeal, saying they were curious about the vote totals from the machines and paper ballots.
“I feel the town passively resisted Judge Garvey’s order to hold a fair and equitable election by publishing misleading information and refusing to respond to multiple requests to clarify the rules,” Parietti said.
He said he doesn’t believe a vote can be held on Election Day, Nov. 4, because the ballots already are being completed, among other reasons.
Ramapo Town Attorney Michael Klein said the Town Board will decide whether to appeal or hold a new vote. The board meets at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Read more at The Journal News.
{Matzav.com Newscenter}
