On April 27th, The New York Board of Elections’ Democratic Co-Chairman, Douglas Kellner, and Democratic Commissioner, Andrew Spano, both Voted to adopt a Resolution Removing All Candidates who Dropped Out or Suspended their Campaigns from the Presidential Primary Ballot, leaving only former Vice President Joe Biden, which then Canceled the Presidential Primary. The Authority to do this came from a Provision in this year’s State Budget that was Passed at the beginning of April.
A Number of Poll Sites, in 20 Districts, across the State will No Longer need to Open because the Presidential Primary was the Only Race on the June 23rd Ballot.
Polling Sites will remain Open for: Congressional, State, and Special Elections, but without the Presidential Primary, Counties could likely Decrease the Number of Poll Workers needed to handle a Lower Number of Voters. The Decision will also Save both the State and Affected Counties Money at a time when Local Governments are facing Major Budget holes and Revenue Shortfalls.
Without a Presidential Primary, it’s now up to the State Democratic Party to Vote on which Delegates go to the Convention. New York has 274 Pledged Delegates with 46 superdelegates. Much of the Democratic Establishment in New York supports Biden. However, they would like to work with both the Biden and Sanders Campaigns to find a way to Fairly Allocate Delegates to both Candidates.
Progressives, and the Sanders Campaign, questioned why, if there is concern about Poll Workers and Voter Safety, New York could Not simply keep Polls Closed and Implement a Vote-by-Mail System. The Governor, Andrew Cuomo (D), Expanded the Absentee Ballot Application Criteria so that the “illness” Provision includes the Risk of Contracting COVID-19.
It also Mandated that an Application be Sent to Every Eligible Voter in the State. However, Directly Mailing Ballots, Violates the State Constitution, according Secretary to the Governor, Melissa DeRosa. It would take a Constitutional Amendment to Implement a true Vote-by-Mail System that allows Anyone to Vote without providing a Justification.
There is a Court Case, from Disabled Voters, that Closing Polling Sites would Negatively affect them.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
