Political squabbling over redistricting at Nassau BOE

                                                                                

As Nassau Democrats and Republican county legislators argue publicly today at the final hearing on Nassau redistricting, the parties have been bickering behind the scenes as well -- at the Nassau Board of Elections.

Democratic Elections Commissioner James Scheuerman wrote to Republican Elections Commissioner Joe Kearney Wednesday complaining that a delay in approving new lines by the Republican majority on the county legislature, was delaying all sorts of work and deadlines by the elections board.

Scheuerman asked Kearney to join him in challenging the redistricting process in court. If Republicans did not join in, Scheuerman said he would go to court as elections commissioner.

"Without judicial intervention, there will be confusion for candidates about when they can begin circulating designating peritions, where to vote, which registered voters can sign and how many signatures are required...We must seek judicial intervention as a Board to protect the rights of candidates and voters, and to ensure the orderly administration of elections," Scheuerman wrote.

 Kearney replied last Friday and essentially told Scheurman to shove off.

Kearney said he would not join any such proposed litigation, opposes any separate litigation by the Democratic commissioner and disagrees that there has been any delay in approving new legislative district lines.

"To the contrary, it is my understanding that the legislature has acted in an efficient manner and well within the legal time frame," he wrote.

"In fact, I am informed that this matter will be before the legislature on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. As such, seeking "judicial intervention" at this juncture not only is unnecessary but would be waste of public resources."

So as we wait for new lines to be adopted by the legislature, we wait to see what Scheuerman does next.

Was it an empty threat? Will he join with the expected Democratic challenge to whatever new lines are adopted this evening.

Don't forget; petition gathering begins tomorrow for the county and town races. And there is a special election in the legislature's 19th District to replace Republican State Sen. Steve Rhoads, who took state office in January.

Here is the Democratic letter:

                                                                       

And here is the Republican response: