With one of the most highly anticipated election days less than two months away, the Lewiston Town Board is putting pressure on county officials to make polling site changes — and if it doesn’t happen soon, the town could take legal action.
Supervisor Fred Newlin said Monday it appeared the Niagara County Board of Elections had breached state law by failing to seek input from the town board before shrinking the number of polling sites from eight to three.
According to Newlin, the law states: “Every Board of Elections shall, in consultation with each city, town or village, designate the polling places in each election district ...”
Deputy Town Attorney David Boniello pointed out the law did not present consultation as an optional procedure, but a required one.
Town board members unanimously approved Monday a resolution that the board of elections consult with the Town Board immediately and develop a change within the next 10 days. Otherwise, the town may look at “recourse in court.” Town Attorney Joseph Leone told the Gazette it is not yet clear what sort of legal action that would entail.
The contested new polling sites were put into action two weeks ago for the primaries, causing confusion among voters who had been voting at the same place for decades, town representatives said. Board member Michael Johnson said on primary day, an elderly woman arrived at town hall to vote after already stopping at the library and fire hall. Johnson said he explained to her the new voting site was Bond Lake but she didn’t know where it was.
Board members have criticized Bond Lake being chosen as a polling place because it is a 10-mile drive for some residents and is less handicapped accessible than town hall, which was removed as a polling place under the new plan. They also said it was not a safe area for heavy traffic and cited the fatal car accident along the escarpment Sunday night.
“In all my years on the board, no issue has raised the ire of voters like the new polling places,” said board member Ernest Palmer. “Everyone I talk to is really upset over this issue.”
Porter, which has roughly 2,000 people to Lewiston’s 20,000, has two polling places under the new plan while Lewiston has three, Newlin added. The Town of Wheatfield, which is smaller than Lewiston in both geography and population density, went from 10 polling places to five while Lockport went from nine polling places to five.
Palmer said he has been in discussions with members of the board of elections and was hopeful they would designate additional polling sites in Lewiston. Board member Sean Edwards said if not, the town should consider using its public transportation to assist voters in reaching the voting booths.
Local News
LEWISTON: Legal action considered in polling issue
New polling site plan is facing strong opposition from Lewiston residents and officials
- Local News
-
-
Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.
-
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.
-
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.
-
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately. -
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.
-
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.
-
Search continues for Falls jumper
State Park Police were still searching Thursday for a Falls man who jumped from the rapids bridge at Goat Island on Wednesday morning.
-
NU gets helping hand for campus projects
A new county entity formed to help organizations secure bond financing agreed on Wednesday to assist Niagara University in the development of its new science center, a proposed refurbishment at Meade Hall and other campus improvements totaling $48 million.
-
One Niagara tax break denied
It’s a no-go for a proposed tax break at One Niagara.
At least for now. -
County IDA adds local hiring clause
From now on, applicants seeking assistance through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency will be expected to demonstrate their “best efforts” in hiring local workers for subsidized projects.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
