A New York clerk has been caught in a blatant attempt to steal a local election, prompting the state to order a new one. The incident occurred in the Hempstead Union Free School District, where District Clerk April Keys allegedly tore up several ballots and helped smuggle them out of her office. This helped board president Victor Pratt "win" his reelection campaign on May 19. The state has since taken action to address the issue.
The state Education Commissioner has ordered a new election to take place within 60 days, following the revelation of Keys' actions. The district has stated that it appreciates the Commissioner's swift review of the matter, which enables the district to move forward with the revote. Keys allegedly took the ripped-up ballots and disposed of them, and also gave Pratt absentee ballots to get rid of. Her actions have been deemed blatantly illegal.
The election results showed that Pratt won by a narrow margin of just 81 votes. However, he led in absentee ballots with 87 percent and came in third on machine voting results with 27 percent. This discrepancy has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the election. Keys was placed on administrative leave three days after the election, and a subsequent investigation uncovered a garbage bag filled with stolen, ripped-up ballots.
The investigation has also revealed that a janitor played a role in the scheme, albeit unintentionally. The janitor discarded a bag containing the stolen ballots, which was later found in a foot of water. The bag contained ballots for both Pratt and his competitor, Gwendolyn Jackson. The incident has highlighted the need for a new election to ensure the integrity of the democratic process.
The new election will provide an opportunity for the community to participate in a fair and transparent process. The state's swift action in addressing the issue has been welcomed by the district, which is now focused on moving forward with the revote. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the integrity of elections and the need for vigilance in protecting the democratic process.
