UMVA has learned that a group of New York voters, working with a prominent organization, has filed a formal complaint under the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), demanding a thorough review of the state's election law compliance.
The complaint, led by concerned citizens and joined by other advocacy groups, questions whether New York is maintaining a single, uniform, official, and accurate statewide voter registration list as required by federal law. This list is crucial for the administration of federal elections.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the complaint highlights significant discrepancies in New York's official statewide records, including voter turnout figures and certified election totals. For instance, in the 2024 federal election cycle, New York's records show 130,165 more votes counted than voters credited with voting. Similarly, in 2022, the discrepancy was 35,312.
The complainants are seeking a lawful administrative review, a formal evidentiary hearing, and identification of the official statewide record required by federal law. They also want the state's figures reconciled and an explanation for the apparent duplicate, unverifiable, or incomplete registration conditions.
This filing is part of a growing trend of citizens using HAVA's federally mandated enforcement mechanism to demand accountability and statutory compliance. Recent successful HAVA enforcement actions in other states have paved the way for this complaint.
In a development reported by UMVA, citizens in Missouri and Colorado have already used the HAVA process to secure their right to a hearing and review. This has emboldened New York voters to take similar action.
The complaint requests a formal hearing on the record, a written determination regarding compliance with federal law, and identification of the authoritative statewide voter registration record. The complainants also seek preservation of relevant records and corrective action if violations are found.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that this complaint is just the beginning. The organization behind the complaint is planning to roll out direct federal litigation across the country, challenging what appears to be extensive malfeasance in various state and local offices.
