By:Angela Marshall
Taking a cue from Florida's problems during last year's presidential election, Concerned Citizen Party members took a close look at the proposed ballots for the June 19 village election and didn't like what they saw. They filed a written protest on May 23, and based on regulations under New York State laws, the ballots have been changed.
The original ballot was created by Village Administrator Anthony Cancellieri, who is also the election clerk.
Because the village is holding a special election to replace former Deputy Mayor Chris Amato in addition to regular balloting for two positions for four-year trustees, Cancellieri proposed listing the elections separately in a vertical format on the ballot.
In the past, the village ballot has always listed each member of a political party horizontally on the same line. Members of the Concerned Citizens felt that pattern should be maintained so that residents do not become confused. Obviously it breaks up who you're running with, said Mary Bossart, who is seeking reelection for a four-year term.
The New York State Election Law agrees. Based on a review of the law, Village Attorney Martha Krisel recommended changing the ballot back to the traditional horizontal format. She also recommended that the four-year candidates be listed first, followed by the two-year candidates who would replace Amato, and then those for village justice.
As it turns out, the Nassau County Board of Election machines could not accommodate the vertical configuration anyway.
The decision to change the ballots prompted a different protest from the Home Rule party. During the initial ballot meeting, the parties split the coin tosses. The Concerned Citizens won the toss for who will be listed first for the four-year election but the Home Rule candidates won the toss for the two -year. position.
Home Rule Party member Kevin McDonough said that fundamental fairness requires that there be another coin toss.
However, according to a letter sent to the involved parties by Krisel, general counsel from the New York Counsel of Mayors has confirmed that the first coin toss and lot drawing controls the position of the parties.
Cancellieri did not return calls by deadline for this article.
Four-year candidates are Bossart and Greg Rinn from Concern Citizen and Fran Murray and Vivian Lewandowski from Home Rule. Jack Matthews will try to keep the seat he was appointed to last year after Amato moved. He will face Concerned Citizens candidate Patrick Lagudi. Both parties have endorsed Frank Yannelli for justice.
