At issue are the 115 signatures Republican Terrence Murphy collected on an OTB (Opportunity To Ballot) or write-in, petition to vie for the Independence line. In New York Fusion, a candidate from a different party can collect signatures to get on another party's primary ballot. Incumbent Michael Kaplowitz, D-Somers, challenged those petitions, then sued after they were upheld by the Board of Elections last week.
In the suit, filed Aug. 3, Kaplowitz disputes the signatures on several grounds, including claiming that many were signed by people other than those named, that many signees were not registered at the addresses stated and that signatures were obtained by fraud.
"The question is, can we prove it to the court's satisfaction?" Kaplowitz said. "We're just trying to see if we can hit that standard." Murphy, a Yorktown councilman, expressed outrage at the legal challenge, saying he abided by the Board of Elections ruling against his own challenge of Kaplowitz's petitions.
"He doesn't like anyone challenging him," he said. "This is exactly what the incumbency syndrome does."
He cited Kaplowitz's support in May for a redistricting plan that drew Murphy's Jefferson Valley home out of the Westchester Board of Legislators district and into one represented by fellow Republican John Testa.
Murphy said he has been advised that he can run from his current residence but that election law requires him to move into the newly redrawn district by Jan. 1 if he wins. He said he has made provisions to do so.
Kaplowitz said at the time that redistricting was necessary and sought to adhere to school district lines. He said the fight over primary petitions is less important than comparing his record to his challenger's.
"The bottom line is that lines don't vote," he said. "People are going to judge me on my record, my independence and my ability to deliver."
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!
Michael H. Drucker
Technorati Tag in Del.icio.us 
No comments:
Post a Comment