What has happened in NY?

http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opnon284678638mar28,0,228765.story

"Mad rush for new voting machines is mad indeed"


On March 1, just as New York State was on the brink of finalizing the implementation regulations needed to buy the voting machines that will be used by New Yorkers for the foreseeable future, the Department of Justice sued the state. Its suit seeks to force New York to comply with the Help America Vote Act's timetable, even though it had been clear for more than a year that New York would not have the new voting machines in place in time for the 2006 elections.


-snip-

The timing of this lawsuit was suspicious. It came just two days after the review of the second draft by the state board and receipt of the final suggestions for changes to the regulations. It also came just as the board was preparing to seek suitable voting systems to comply with both federal and New York law. Why is Justice suddenly in such a big hurry? Where is the fire?

Justice also has been overly aggressive in its response to a motion to intervene in this lawsuit by individuals and voter-rights advocacy groups, including the League of Women Voters and New Yorkers for Verified Voting. Unfortunately, last Thursday, a federal district court in Albany sided with Justice and ruled against intervention by these representatives of the public and local boards of election. This Thursday, the court will hear arguments on a motion by Justice seeking a preliminary injunction to obtain the ultimate relief in the case. This is an outrageous attempt to force the court to decide the case before it has all the facts and before the public can be heard."

(emphasis mine)
It seems Consiglieri Alberto's boys are messing around.

the rights of NY citizens?