POUGHKEEPSIE – After two court cases that forced a judge to reverse herself, an agreement has been reached regarding voting at Bard College.
Supreme Court Justice Marie Rosa originally sided with Dutchess County GOP Elections Commissioner Erik Haight and ruled in his favor creating a polling place at St. John’s Church in Barrytown. After an appeal, Rosa determined that Haight was “untrue” and moved a polling place to the college campus.
Now, a compromise was reached to hold election day voting at both locations.
The court battle stemmed from a decision to keep the Red Hook District 5 polling place at the church, a polling place recommended by Haight. Officials with the church sided with other plaintiffs in seeking to move the election site to the college campus. Members of the church claimed that their facility was not accessible pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In the original court case, Justice Rosa sided with Commissioner Haight, who sought to keep the polling place at the church. Haight argued that it was too late to move the polling place. Two days after the victory, Haight moved other polling places in the Town of Red Hook. Bard College and others appealed based on Haight’s subsequent actions.
On appeal, Rosa reversed her original decision and called Haight’s previous arguments “untrue.” Rosa’s decision moved the polling place to the college campus even though it was closed to the public because of the pandemic.
Haight appealed the decision and on Wednesday, the Appellate Court heard arguments, without coming to a decision. Rather than ruling, they asked parties for both sides to come to an agreement.
After negotiations, a compromise was reached. According to Democratic Elections Commissioner Beth Soto, both Bard College and the church will be polling places for Red Hook’s District 5.
“Today, the voters in Red Hook District 5 won a great victory. After 14 years of pushing, Bard College students and faculty will have a poll site on their campus in time for what is arguably the most important election in our nation’s history,” said Soto. “Since my tenure as the Democratic commissioner began almost two years ago, I have supported Bard College’s request for an on-campus poll site and Wednesday’s decision made it a reality.”
Haight couldn’t be reached for comment while Soto thanked her counterpart. “When two commissioners can sit down and come to an agreement that will serve all voters during these very unprecedented times it shows their integrity, leadership, and ethical commitment to serve all voters.”
Dutchess County GOP Committee Chairman Michael McCormack denounced the appellate court’s decision.
“Bard College is the number one liberal college in all of America – number one, not two, 10, or 15, but number one. Having a polling place on a private institution’s campus is stupid. The fact that the college recently closed their campus to the public because of the pandemic validates the stupidity of the judge’s decision.”
College officials said the school could open its doors to the public for special circumstances like voting.
