NEWBURGH – Orange County
has appealed a State Supreme Court decision allowing Newburgh city mayoral
candidate Gay Lee to run in a Democratic Party primary against incumbent
Mayor Torrance Harry.
The Orange County Board of Elections had ruled Lee’s petitions to
be invalid since dozens of people signed them with different addresses
than those at which they were registered. But, State Supreme Court Justice
Catherine Bartlett said as long as those 69 people who signed live in
Newburgh, the different addressed listed does not prove they are not Newburgh
residents.
Orange County is appealing the decision before the Appellate Division
of State Supreme Court.
Harvey said the lower court ruling could have widespread ramifications.
“If that ruling were to stand that happened in Goshen last week,
then elections moving forward in New York State especially in the City
of Newburgh would never be the same because people can sign their name,
put any address on the City of Newburgh and not be verified in the registration
rolls. You can’t do that,” Harvey maintained.
The appeal will be argued on Tuesday, but it is unclear as to if a decision
will be rendered at that time.
