KINGSTON – The Ulster County Legislature, on a near-unanimous vote, agreed to enter an agreement with the state Board of Elections to cover the cost of purchasing equipment and services necessary for early voting, as mandated by the state.
The county will receive almost $224,000 in state aid to cover the costs, after the county spends the money.
Democrat Joseph Maloney said the county is stuck with little option.
“We’re spending money and getting a result that we could get probably for free, but we are talking about Albany, so in that way, it does make sense to me,” Maloney said.
Republican Kenneth Ronk agreed, but said there would be an easy alternative, if the state moved in the right direction.
“It’s going to be a mandate on us for years to come,” Ronk said. “I agree wholeheartedly with everything that’s been said that the best, most cost-effective way, because it’s absolutely free, is a no-fault absentee ballot.”
One ‘no’ vote, in protest, came from Republican Richard Gerentine.
