Montgomery Supervisor Candidate Susan Cockburn Appeals Board of Elections Decision to Invalidate Petitions in State Supreme Court

County Democratic Party Chairman Constantine Criticizes Republican Voter Suppression Efforts as “Desperate Tactics”

Montgomery NY- The Orange County Democratic Committee today announced that candidate for Montgomery Town Supervisor, Susan Cockburn, has filed an action in State Supreme Court, to contest and overturn unsubstantiated objections to dozens of signatures on her nominating petitions from by Republican candidate Stephen Brescia. If the Republican objections were not contested, Cockburn would be blocked from the ballot, and the November election would be automatically delivered to the Republican candidate. 

Cockburn’s action came after more than 120 objections were made by Republican candidate Stephen Brescia to invalidate signatures of Montgomery residents. Attorneys for Cockburn addressed the objections and several Montgomery residents certified under oath that their signatures were valid. However, due to the invalid and unfounded objections, Cockburn remains deficient by a single signature. To date, Brescia and Montgomery Republicans have not conceded that these legal voters supporting Cockburn should be permitted to participate in the electoral process without intervention by the Court.

Cockburn and the Orange County Democratic Committee are seeking a ruling that would permit the Board of Elections to count all lawful signatures and ensure that Cockburn has access to the ballot in November.

Zak Constantine, Chairman of the Orange County Democratic Committee, voiced his concerns regarding the alarming developments.” If Brescia is  successful, this challenge will rob the community of the opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box in November. Rather than meeting the voters with any record of accomplishment or offering new ideas, Mr. Brescia is attempting to ensure single party rule by silencing his opposition with dirty politics”. 

“It's a disappointing display of anti-democratic maneuvers that obstructs the very essence of our electoral process. But let me be clear, the Orange County Democratic Party will not be silent. We will stand up for the voting rights of our communities and resist these desperate tactics."

Susan Cockburn, former Montgomery Town Supervisor, expressed her determination to challenge the ruling. "The lengths to which my opponent has gone to avoid a fair election suggest a deep-seated fear of accountability," Cockburn stated. "My commitment has always been to ensure that every voice is heard in our local government. That starts with giving the voters a choice. The actions of my deeply entrenched Republican opponent and his allies only further emphasize why I am running for this position." 

Cockburn's attorney, Rebekah Nellis Kennedy, is confident about the strength of the case, pointing out the clear discrepancies in the Board of Elections' decisions. "The objections that led to the invalidation of Susan's petition were incorrect and obviously politically motivated. The Board ruled that Cockburn’s petition has 239 valid signatures, only a single signature shy of the 240 signatures required. Legally, the Board should have taken into account the many  notarized affidavits from voters and witnesses which explained the petitions further, and affirmed the authenticity of every signature. We are confident that Susan will prevail in court and she will be placed on the ballot for Montgomery Town Supervisor in November, as the voters of the Town of Montgomery intended.

On Thursday an order to show cause was issued by New York State Supreme Court Judge David Squirrell. An appearance is scheduled for Thursday, May 11th at 9:30AM in Orange County Court. 

To view the order to show cause and supporting exhibits, visit https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/DocumentList?docketId=zk8C3YVTXaeoroO32nJ9KQ==&display=all

The Orange County Democratic Committee is the organization that oversees and provides coordination for the largest political party in Orange County, NY. We support dynamic candidates with new ideas and diverse life experiences, from all walks of life. 

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