KINGSTON – The Ulster County Democratic Committee has filed a lawsuit in State Supreme Court seeking to have the hours for early voting and the number of sites increased beyond the five.
A court hearing will be held this (Friday) afternoon. Early voting continues through Sunday.
The complaint cites the long wait times that voters have experienced at all five sites.
“Everyone expected a heavy turnout the first day of early voting, but when the number increased each day and the long lines persisted, we could see there was a serious problem with capacity,” said Kelleigh McKenzie, county Democratic committee chairwoman. “The right to vote is at the core of our democracy, and we believe it’s worth fighting for. We filed the lawsuit because no one, especially our seniors and voters with disabilities, should have to stand outside for hours to cast their vote.”
Democratic Elections Commissioner Ashley Dittus had sought to expand hours and locations, but that needs a consensus of the Democrat and Republican commissioners. That has not happened.
