North East ballot confusion surfaces

NORTH EAST —  Human error in submitting the Democratic candidate information for the ballot in November’s North East Town Board election has resulted in an incorrect ballot. 

Instead of two candidates, Lana Morrison and Chris Mayville, running for two four-year terms on the board and Meg Winkler as the candidate to complete a two-year term, the ballot shows all three candidates running for two seats. After the error was discovered, it was too late for the Dutchess County Board of Elections to reprogram computers or reprint ballots. 

At press time, the Dutchess County Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner, Hannah Black, was unavailable for comment; however, Jennifer Dowley, co-chair of the Democratic Party of North East, responded: “The ballot for the upcoming Town of North East elections should have listed candidates for two four-year terms for council seats on the Town Board and one two-year seat. The candidates being Lana Morrison, Chris Mayville (four-year terms) and Meg Winkler (two year term).  

“Due to a clerical error on our part, the ballot actually lists the two four-year terms with all three candidates and leaves the two-year term with no candidate, and therefore eligible for a write-in candidate.

“Thus, voters can cast votes for two candidates for the four-year terms and then write in a candidate for the two-year seat. The North East Millerton Democratic Committee apologies for the oversight and confusion and asks everyone to vote for the candidates of their choice.”  

Winkler commented for the record that she was “disappointed that the ballot did not show three candidates for the three vacant board seats and that the Dutchess County Board of Elections was not transparent or helpful regarding the review or correction of ballots. My goal is only to be elected. I enjoy what I do and hope to serve the town.”

Two proposals that have not received much attention appear on the back of the ballot. 

Proposal No. 1 permits small city school districts in cities with fewer than 125,000 people to increase debt from 5% to 10% of the value of taxable property, the same as districts in larger cities. This would allow these specially designated small school districts to borrow twice the amount that they are now permitted and does not impact the borrowing capability of local school districts.

Proposal No. 2 also addresses debt limits. The amendment to Article 8, Section 5 of the New York State Constitution extends the debt limit exception on construction of sewage projects until 2034. This means that municipalities can borrow money to build infrastructure and pay it off over many years with long-term loans without exceeding regulated debt limitations.