Altschuler Challenge of Student Votes May be Withdrawn

A lawyer representing Randy Altschuler has proposed a withdrawal of the Republican Congressional candidate's  cast by Stony Brook University students.

Vincent J. Messina, who represents Altschuler, said all student votes were challenged because they were cast with an affidavit ballot. However, they have been selected for withdrawal.

A State Supreme Cout judge will travel to the Board of Elections in Yaphank on Wednesday to begin reviewing absentee and affidavit ballots that have been challenged by both candidates in the First Congressional District race.

Lawyers representing Altschuler and U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop, D-Southampton met in the courtroom of Hon. Peter Mayer early on Tuesday afternoon. Both sides discussed their attempts to cut out some of over 2,000 challenged ballots – a process Bishop spokesman  – though it still remains unsure how long the process may take.

Following 71 military votes counted on Tuesday morning, Bishop holds a lead of 215, with over 185,000 votes cast, Schneider said.

Messina initially shook his head when asked if Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 would be early enough for judicial review of the ballots to begin. Messina stated that both Commissioners of the Board of Elections must rule that the objected ballots are ready to go to the courts, which has yet to be done. Both sides agreed to try and continue working down the number of challenged ballots Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, and will reconvene at Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to verify the afternoon commencment of judicial review.

Messina stated that 200 challenged ballots were agreed to be withdrawn, and opened, after 1:00 Tuesday afternoon. He also said "at least" an additional 200 have been proposed for withdrawal.