I just received this from the campaign of Ann Marie Buerkle, Republican candidate in New York’s 25th Congressional District, one of the House races not yet settled.
This seems… ominous:
Statement From Ann Marie Buerkle On Absenteee Ballots
Syracuse, NY - “It has recently come to my attention that there are efforts underway in Upstate New York to contact individuals who cast absentee ballots in the 25th Congressional District and inquire how they may have voted in the recent election. It is regrettable that this action is underway prior to those absentee votes being tabulated by county election officials. While the reasons for this effort are unclear, many agree it could be an attempt by some to identify who each person voted for in an effort to disqualify certain eligible ballots from being counted. I would like the public to know that my campaign is not connected to this current effort. Further, no American – in Upstate New York or anywhere – is in anyway under obligation to provide information to anyone on how he or she voted in any election, including my own.”
“This Thursday is Veteran’s Day, and as Americans we will pause to honor all of our veterans who have sacrificed so much to protect the rights of all Americans. It is disappointing that such an activity would be underway at the same time our men and women in uniform are serving overseas to protect these very freedoms.”
“If anyone is contacted in this effort please know that your vote is privileged, and under no circumstances should an individual be pressured in to revealing how their vote was cast. If you are contacted, ask them to provide their full name, for whom they work, why they are seeking this information and if you are required to provide this information.”
A judge impounded the votes in this race, and nine other close races for lower office in New York state.
UPDATE The Buerkle campaign writes in with more information and a vote update:
Despite being outspent by a margin of 4-1, Ann Marie Buerkle is now leading by 684 votes. There are currently less than 9,000 returned absentee ballots for the 25th District of NY.
We are confident that when the process is finished and all of the eligible ballots are counted, Ann Marie will have won the seat. Of the 8,462 returned ballots, registered Republicans returned 3,870 absentee ballots to 2,801 Democrats. The number of Republicans who returned absentee ballots exceeds Democrats in all four counties. In Onondaga County (Syracuse) nearly 500 more Republicans returned ballots than Democrats.
The counting of the absentee ballots will be staggered over the next two weeks. Not surprisingly, the Maffei campaign has already filed legal proceedings against the four county boards of elections claiming voting irregularities. The objective is to delay and obstruct the process in order to disenfranchise voters who voted for Ann Marie.
We are currently trying to raise money for the anticipated recount.
