Comments on Molinaro gets Sacked

Virginia Martin commented on 'Molinaro gets Sacked'

2010-02-17T22:37:06Z

Assemblyman Molinaro:

You say that "elections officials from both parties have expressed concern" about the absentee-ballot legislation. But neither of the across-the-aisle election commissioners in your Assembly district (spanning Dutchess and Columbia counties) expressed such concerns about it. (You didn't ask us.) Our only concern would be that this much-needed legislation might not pass.

I'd be interested in knowing which Democratic commissioners you spoke to.

Also, I'm confused by your remark above about the need for a statewide voter database. That database has been up and running quite successfully for four years now; in fact, as you know, I gave testimony to the Election Law Committee in October about it. Is there another database that you're looking for?

Virginia Martin
Claverack

Hudson commented on 'Molinaro gets Sacked'

2010-02-17T15:46:21Z

Assemblyman Molinaro sent via Facebook these further comments, which I'm posting without any implied endorsement or criticism. --S.

..................................

[The legislation] conflicts with the State Constitution - see Article II Second. 2 and does not eliminate the reasons why one can seek an absentee ballot, just that verification is not necessary to get one. Courts would still be able to request verification when a challenge is issued.

Implementation of the statewide voter database, that was to occur 4 years ago, would limit voter fraud allowing legislation like this to be effective.

The Constitutional question didn't come up until we started hearing from local elections personnel. Had this bill been "laid aside" earlier I would have discussed it further. With no opportunity to discuss it further, I voted NO.

I'm not positive, we couldn't address the constitutional question adequately. Otherwise, our push for a Constitutional Convention would open the door to all of these like issues.

Scott Stackpole commented on 'Molinaro gets Sacked'

2010-02-17T01:10:28Z

Assemblyman Molinaro's response to Bob's letter is abstruse, fundamentally evasive, and overly larded with off-topic issues. Most voters I know understand that it's a simple enough thing to stand up and say, "No, this is wrong." The assemblyman fails to do that with respect to Mr. Fingar's partisan attempts to disenfranchise certain absentee voters, which suggests that he either agrees with Mr. Fingar or that he disagrees but lacks the political courage to publicly say so. In either case, it's another shining example of hastily assembled abstract formalism at work.
Scott Stackpole
Taghkanic, N.Y.

Robert Sacks commented on 'Molinaro gets Sacked'

2010-02-16T16:32:23Z

Dear Assemblyman Molinaro:

You stated in your note that “elections officials from both parties have expressed concern that such legislation could potentially impact our county boards of elections and voters negatively. They have stated that such legislation could reduce accountability and subject voters to unnecessary litigation.”

I must ask, to whom have you been taking? You didn’t speak to the elections officials from both parties in Columbia County. And you didn’t explain why this simplification process would subject any voter to unnecessary litigation? Who would proceed to do such a thing and for what purpose? We both know that voters take an oath to verify that what they are saying is indeed correct and factual. Who would wish to disenfranchise legitimate voters?

You stated that you are working with “your colleagues on both sides of the political aisle”. I’m sure that is true, but not in this act as only five members of the Assembly voted no for the simplified absentee ballot form and they are all Republicans.

Where we agree is where you state that “New York's elections laws are 'interesting' and insufficient in many ways.“

You missed an opportunity to vote with the vast majority from both sides of the aisle to simplify the voting process and instead chose a partisan path with five other republicans. That is not the bipartisan approach that you speak of – in fact it seems just the opposite.

Bob Sacks
-30-

Hudson commented on 'Molinaro gets Sacked'

2010-02-16T15:48:43Z

Dear Assemblyman Molinaro:

It's always good to hear directly from elected officials, and have a dialogue. With hope Mr. Sacks will follow up. I do have a couple thoughts/questions of my own.

1. I agree that our Election Law is a mess, full of unclear and even contradictory provisions. However, I am not clear from your response how this legislation (which you co-sponsored, yet voted against) would make either the voters' or BOE officials' lives more complicated. Indeed, it would seem to do the precise opposite by simplifying and streamlining the absentee process. Doing so would also seem to eliminate many of the technicalities and ambiguities that have invited nuisance lawsuits against voters. So could you explain how streamlining the process would increase complications and legal harassment? Your assertion isn't intuitively obvious to me.

2. Since you state that you are all for voting rights, I am wondering what your position was on the recent attempt by Republican operatives (John Ciampoli, Jim Paroli Jr., Greg Fingar, Erik Tyree, John Faso, the State GOP) to intimidate absentee voters in Columbia County? Their effort failed miserably, but cost residents over $25,000 and obstructed the seating of elected officials for over two months. The sole purpose of this Republican push appeared to be voter intimidation, which also occurred against Bard and Vassar students targeted by the GOP. Since you state that you are against partisan manipulation of the election law, do you disavow your party leaders' recent shenanigans, which they also unsuccessfully tried in the Murphy-Tedisco race?

Thanks for your interest,

--S.

Marcus Molinaro commented on 'Molinaro gets Sacked'

2010-02-16T14:27:55Z

As the ranking minority member on the Assembly’s election law committee, I have joined my colleagues in working to strengthen and improve our state’s election laws. In meeting with constituents and attending hearings and election law conferences across the state, we have sought to protect access to the polls and limit restrictions placed upon valid voters seeking to vote.

I have sponsored legislation to facilitate voting by members of the armed forces (A08799) and strengthen the laws against voter suppression (A09250) and voter influence (A07539). I also support legislation to make it easier to register to vote (A04015) and receive voting information (A04314), establish affidavit ballot standards (A06177 and A04232), simplify applying for absentee applications (A07347) and require allowing absentee voting for special elections and public referenda to name a few. In the context of implementing the Help Americans Vote Act, I also sponsored Assembly Bill 05276 in its original print (it has been amended twice since its introduction in 2009)

Since sponsoring this legislation, elections officials from both parties have expressed concern that such legislation could potentially impact our county boards of elections and voters negatively. They have stated that such legislation could reduce accountability and subject voters to unnecessary litigation. Having not heard this line of reasoning until most recently, I could not vote in favor of this bill this year.

My vote reflects a desire to make good policy and seek, with my colleagues on both sides of the political aisle consensus when addressing matters of such importance. My colleagues are aware of this concern, and, had this bill not been rushed to the floor early this session, I am confident that we could have discussed it further. Since this bill has been considered since 1993, I expect we will see it again next year and I will work to improve it.

New York's elections laws are 'interesting' and insufficient in many ways. The state legislature must continue to improve statute to eliminate contradictory language, rescind outdated policies, and make it easier for voters to access the polls and exercise their fundamental right to vote. The challenge has been to do so in a way that limits partisan posturing. The results have almost always been litigation taken by either major party, examples of such stretch from one end of New York to the other. A distinction we should not be proud of.

While I apologize that some of my constituents were introduced to this issue in such a confusing manner, I do not accept the shameless attacks issued by some local party officials.

I do not seek to limit access and my record reflects a robust defense of the people's right to vote.

I voted in my first election in 1993. Having been asked to serve as an election inspector, I helped open the polls and assist voters access them. At 6:00 am on Election Day, I was the first vote to be cast in the Village of Tivoli. Serving a community with seniors who travel and college students whose right to register is often challenged, I led efforts to expand access to the polls and ensure application of the American's with Disabilities Act. As a member of the Dutchess County Legislature I led the investigation into voter registration denial by certain election officials of my own party and enforcement of the county's ethics law when one of our election commissioners engaged in nepotism.

I take very seriously my responsibilities as a public official and believe the people I serve want honest and earnest representation. It seems to me they want us to set aside party differences and try to solve the problems that face them. While some continue to engage in the same old politics as usual, I do not and will not. Politics, too often brings out the worst in people, I, for one, will work to do the best for the people I serve.

I will continue working with those from all political parties to ensure that our state passes prudent legislation guaranteeing our citizens the right to participate in a voting process that is both fair and legal. Transparency and accountability are needed to preserve this fundamental right and protect against fraud, intimidation and suppression.

My vote on this bill reflects specific concerns with specific legislation. To infer anything else is at best unfortunate.

I welcome your comments and ask that you contact me directly. I can be reached via e-mail at mjm@marcmolinaro.com or by calling (845) 758-9790.

Serving as your representative in the State Assembly is a tremendous honor that I take quite seriously. Please feel free to contact me.

Best regards,

Marcus J. Molinaro
Member of Assembly
103rd District