New York City Councilman, Dan Gardonick, sent the City's Board of Elections (BOE) a sternly worded Letter, taking the Agency to task for Failing to Comply with the Law.
He demanded Action a week after the BOE ignored a Law Requiring it to Post Notices at Old Poll Sites when it Moves them to New Locations. The BOE changed Hundreds of Poll Sites in the Months before last week's Primary, affecting more than 200,000 Eligible Voters.
Gardonick also called for the Agency to Submit a Plan to his Office by Sept. 29th Outlining how the Agency will meet its Legal Requirements in time for the November Elections.
“When it comes to following the law, it is not their prerogative to pick and choose. That’s exactly what they are doing here, and the end result of course is that it is making life more difficult for New Yorkers when they are trying to exercise their fundamental right to vote.", Garodnick said.
Michael Ryan, the Executive Director of the Board of Elections, once Testified at a Hearing that the City Council, as a Local Legislative body, did not have Jurisdiction over its Activities, since the Board is Governed by State Election Law.
Garodnick urged the Board to Check out an Opinion from the New York Attorney General’s Office that Concluded the BOE is in fact a Local Agency. “The board is comprised of local residents appointed by local elected officials, is financed by local government, and performs its functions within a local jurisdiction.”
Gardonick said the Opinion makes it clear that the BOE must be responsive to the City Council and the Mayor.
A Spokeswoman said the Board’s Position has not Changed.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
No comments:
Post a Comment