Probe Needed Of 500+ Last-Minute Voter Registrations: Rockland County Executive

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County Executive Ed Day has asked for an investigation into possible voter registration irregularities related to over 500 forms received just before the deadline to vote in the Sept. 12 primary. He said he suspected local developers of scheming against the county's stand on uncontrolled growth.

It's not unheard of locally: there was a false voter registration scheme in neighboring Orange County a couple of years ago connected to a large development plan for a small town.

"This is about a clear pattern of abuse of our electoral system," the County Executive said as he stood surrounded by veterans who fought to preserve that right. "It's about how the most sacred right we hold as Americans can be gamed."

Day asked for an investigation into over 500 questionable registrations to the Rockland County Conservative Party just received from one area of the town of Ramapo.

He said three individuals submitted nearly all the new registrations predominantly from this area on three different days. Eighty-eight new registration forms were submitted on July 12-13th as nominating petitions were due and another 429 registrations were submitted on Aug. 18, just before the deadline for voting in next week's primary.

Many of these registration forms lacked information such as a previous address or disclosed whether the individual was registered to vote in another county, Day said. Some of the new registrants are also currently registered to vote in other parts of the state — mostly in Brooklyn, Orange and Sullivan counties.

Day said he suspects that the sudden increase in registrations stems from powerful developers who oppose his efforts as County Executive to stop uncontrolled growth in Ramapo.

SEE ALSO

• Rockland Throws Down the Gauntlet to Ramapo, other Rockland Developers
• Ramapo Neighbors Win a Round
• Ramapo Building Director Altered Permits, Pocketed Fees: DA

In May, Day signed an executive order to prohibit county departments from issuing permits for developments that have not complied with General Municipal Law. At the time he cited his desire to stop reckless development with no regard for Rockland's infrastructure and quality of life. And he aimed particularly at the town of Ramapo.

On Thursday, he sent another message.

"Let me publicly respond to those developers who look to compromise the health, environment and well-being of this county," he said. "Here is my message: The days of getting away with the destruction of communities are over."

He asked for action from the New York State Attorney General, the Board of Elections, the Rockland County Sheriff, District Attorney, state lawmakers and others to determine the extent of the fraud.

Day requested that they take the following actions:

The Board of Elections and Sheriff conduct a check to determine if the residency stated on the form is accurate.

• Impound and investigate absentee ballots received from these new voters.
• Interview the three individuals who brought in the 519 registration forms.
• A change in Board of Election policy so that all questions on a form have to be answered.
• A requirement that new applicants without a driver's license or social security card provide identification, which is not currently required.
• The state Legislature and Governor enact voter ID laws.

A local developer was involved in a false voter registration scheme in neighboring Orange County. Three Hudson Valley real estate developers were caught, as was the mayor of the town, in an elaborate scheme to rig a local election that included putting toothbrushes into empty apartments to make them look occupied so they could pack the voter rolls with false registrations. One of the developers was a Ramapo resident.

SEE ALSO:

• Developers Tried to Rig Hudson Valley Election: US Attorney
  
• Rigged-Election Conspiracy: Hudson Valley Developer Enters Plea
  
• Rigged Election Conspiracy: 2nd Guilty Plea Entered