Judge Denies Move to Delay NYC RCV

A Manhattan State Supreme Court Judge, on Wednesday, Refused to Halt the Rollout of Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) in New York City, a Major Victory for Advocates of the New System of Voting that is set to be part of City Elections starting in 2021.

With Military and Overseas Ballots set to go out on, Friday Dec. 18th, for a Feb. 2nd, City Council Special Election, for the 24th District in Queens.

Justice, Carol Edmead, Declined to issue a Temporary Restraining Order or to set an Expedited Hearing Schedule in the Case which was brought by Six City Council Members and Several Organizations.

“This Court is disinclined to take any action that may result in the disenfranchisement of even one voter or take any action that may result in even one voter’s ballot being nullified,” Edmead wrote in her Decision.

The Council Members argued that the City’s Board of Elections and Campaign Finance Board aren’t Ready to Administer the New System or Educate Voters about it. They said that Minority, Senior, and Non-English-Speaking New Yorkers would be Hurt by what they Alleged is the City’s Failure to Prepare.

New York City's Voting System will need to be Updated to scan RCV Ballots and to Count them, and All Changes must be Verified by the State Board of Elections.

Frank Carone, the Attorney for the Council Members, said the Legal Team is exploring Options for Appeal.

“It’s clear that there’s a serious failure to comply with the requirements of the charter as it pertains to the education requirements of the Voting Rights Act and state law,” Carone said.

J. Remy Green, an Attorney who Represented a Council Candidate supporting the use of RCV, said Carone was offered the Chance to Address Education but choose Not to pursue it. “Their only goal is knocking out ranked-choice voting,” Green said.

RCV allows Voters to Rank upto Five Candidates in order of Preference. It was adopted overwhelmingly by a Voter Referendum in 2019 and is set to be used starting in 2021 for Special and Primary Elections in the City.

While those who Sued to Delay its Implementation said Non-White New Yorkers would Lose Out, a Coalition that includes Minority Candidates for Office in 2021 and other Members of the Council’s Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, cuntered that the System was Approved in part by Non-White Voters and will give them a Louder Voice in Voting.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker