On Oct. 14, 2015. the court brought a victory for the Cuomo administration on the overarching issue of who controls the Gov. Andrew Cuomo-created Women’s Equality Party (WEP).
But an appellate court ruling did uphold a lower court’s decision to toss some WEP candidates off the ballot on a technicality.
The Cuomo-backed group is the only one of three that has standing as the party’s controlling entity, according to the ruling. That makes clear who actually is in charge for the first time since two other groups challenged for control of the party earlier this year.
The difference between the rulings is this clear statement: “Although two other factions subsequently filed purported rules of the WEP, neither was supported or endorsed by any WEP statewide candidate from the 2014 general election. Absent such statewide candidate support, they cannot be deemed rules of the WEP for the purpose of creating a ‘question or conflict relating to the rules or the rule-making body’ of WEP.”
So what does it all mean?
It would appear this means that the Cuomo-backed group is free and clear to nominate candidates for the ballot as it’s the only one with legitimate party rules, except those nomination that failed the deadline that already passed. For those candidates previously nominated, it would seem Cuomo-baked candidates could remain on the ballot, unless a court has already declared their nominations invalid for some other reason.
But candidates backed by the other two groups would be eliminated.
The two other groups could appeal to one last court, the Court of Appeals.
“We are thankful the courts rejected these cynical and illegitimate attempts to hijack the Women’s Equality Party and ruled in favor of those who formed it and worked hard to get it ballot status,” said Rachel Gold, the party’s latest chair. “We are hopeful this distraction will soon be behind us and we can concentrate on furthering the ideals that the WEP was founded upon, as well as helping its candidates in this year’s elections.”
CLICK HERE to read the five page decision.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
