General Discussion

RandySF

(59,904 posts) Sat Jun 30, 2012, 03:18 PM Jun 2012

Charles Rangel race takes chaotic turn

The veteran Democratic congressman might be the winner in New York’s 13th District, but no one really knows.

It’s a bizarre situation that just keeps getting weirder, a strange case of missing precincts, questionable ballots and utter confusion over who’s to blame for the mess and when the race might be settled.

What’s known is this: As of Friday evening, 32 precincts – six percent of all votes cast – had yet to be accounted for. And another 2,447 affidavit ballots and 667 absentee votes hadn’t been counted yet either. According to the city Board of Elections, Rangel’s lead over second-place finisher state Sen. Adriano Espaillat stood at 1,032 votes, with enough outstanding ballots to alter the outcome.

Naturally, the courts are now involved. On Friday, the state Supreme Court agreed to hear a lawsuit brought by the Espaillat campaign, asking it to examine the squirrelly vote-counting process. A hearing is scheduled for Monday.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/78044.html

6 replies

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Highlight:

Charles Rangel race takes chaotic turn (Original Post) RandySF Jun 2012 OP

If Democrats can't get it right then WTF.... Historic NY Jun 2012 #1

Incompetence can be found in both parties. RandySF Jun 2012 #3

WHAT? I thought his opponent conceded...! MADem Jun 2012 #2

I hope charlie wins! What an awfully sad and unfortunate way to finish his career if he dowsn't. Auntie Bush Jun 2012 #4

A person who is a tax cheat can be expected to cheat elsewhere. former9thward Jun 2012 #5

Politicians that stay in office too long... kentuck Jun 2012 #6

Historic NY

(37,463 posts)

1. If Democrats can't get it right then WTF....

Reply to RandySF (Original post)

Sat Jun 30, 2012, 03:37 PM

Jun 2012

RandySF

(59,904 posts)

3. Incompetence can be found in both parties.

Reply to Historic NY (Reply #1)

Sat Jun 30, 2012, 04:19 PM

Jun 2012

Especially in election offices.

MADem

(135,425 posts)

2. WHAT? I thought his opponent conceded...!

Reply to RandySF (Original post)

Sat Jun 30, 2012, 03:47 PM

Jun 2012

Oh geez. I was hoping old Charlie would get one more term. I figured that would be "it" since the district has been redrawn and it is unlikely that he could continue to prevail in subsequent contests, as this one was so close as it was.

He's not perfect by a long shot, but his heart over the years has been in the right place.

This looks like it could be trouble...

From Espaillat’s backers came accusations that Rangel’s powerful supporters were influencing the vote counting, slowing the process and preventing the challenger’s side from receiving information. And they say they are particularly concerned about the remaining six percent of ballots that have yet to be counted – which, they contend, come from areas where the state senator receives the most support.

...Ethnic and racial tensions also are bubbling to the surface. Espaillat’s backers contend that many Hispanic voters had been turned away from the polls on Tuesday as they tried to cast ballots for the state senator, who is trying to become the first Dominican-American member of Congress. Leonel Fernandez, the president of the Dominican Republic, has reached out to Espaillat to see if he can offer any assistance, according to an Espaillat aide.