Letter To The Editor – A Voter Rights Issue In Grafton

To The Editor:
It is really sad, to hear about voter rights issues on the day they honor Martin Luther King.
What is going on in Grafton?
Petersburgh, our neighboring town, has citizen government as described by our founding fathers. No one in Petersburgh stays in political office for life. In Grafton the Town political elite refused to release the reins of power and not allow others to contribute to the Town. Why is it so good in Grafton and not in surrounding towns. What benefits do they receive that should be any different? What small town political party pulls out all stops to insure an election win? At least the Democratic party caucus gives a chance to be nominated. The Republican party did away with the caucus about 12 years ago to have a primary. There has never been a Republican primary challenge since. All candidates have been hand picked. Anyone that attempts a challenge is blocked by any means possible with the help of the B.E. The desire for change is so great this election day the Dem line has 2 Rep,1 Ind, 1 Dem. running. There is even a new Vote Your Conscience line, the Grafton Citizen Party.
As Election Day nears the Rensco Board of Elections is denying concerned Grafton citizens the RIGHT to Register to Vote. It would be interesting to see if they have done this in any other town in Rensselaer County. Well, the answer is no. The Commissioners were not familiar with NYS Supreme Court decisions and chose to ignore the intent of the New York State and County Election Law.
After being advised about The NYS Supreme Court 3d District Appellate Court -Willkie et all, v. Delaware County decision.(2008), the Commissioners will tell you they do not like this Appellate decision and will not abide by it. They do believe in Court decisions that help friends and not the Willkie decision that does not help them. I am sure they state sections of the V.L. that match their reasons, but the intent. Should they be allowed to make legal decisions without advice of council? Should the local B.E. be removed from politics and made to protect all voters not just the two main parties and their affiliates.
Who are they protecting in Grafton? Not the US CONSTITUTION, or NYS Election Law. They are bypassing NYS State lawmakers, the Governor who signed the Law and Supreme Court Justices. They are undermining the Demo. institution. They are not looking out for those that died for us to have free elections. They are ignoring the Civil Rights Act. They do believe in “The Poll Tax.”
There is a saying used by President Clinton: “A good politician has NO political enemies and NO political friends.” This is never said at the Rensco B.E. The first part is used and the second part is definitely ignored.
This action by The Commissioners to stop new voters from Grafton is just the opposite from the alleged violations in Troy,  where some wanted additional voters. Hey it’s Rensco, if you are in the political class, you can do what ever you want.
Term limits is the answer.
Here is a question for Law Enforcement. Why is it illegal to add voters and legal to deny voters?
The NYS Voter Registration Form says to register you must:
• be a US citizen;
• be 18 years old by the end of this year;
• not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction;
• not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
• I will have lived in the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election.
• I meet all requirements to register to vote in New York State.
You swear, too.
Pat Ivory, Grafton