Ballot Error Resolved in Crown Heights Special Election

By COLlive reporter

Confusion at the ballot box in Brooklyn’s special election has been resolved on Tuesday morning, with the help of Crown Heights activist Yaacov Behrman.

A special election is being held to fill the 43rd assembly seat in Brooklyn. In a special election, everyone who is registered to vote, regardless of party affiliation, is eligible to vote for any candidate from any party.

Crown Heights residents who headed out to vote early Tuesday reported being unable to vote as their addresses were not assigned to a voting booth.

One resident said he was told to vote by affidavit, however, he insisted on voting officials being contacted to correct the error so he could vote properly.

He contacted Yaacov Behrman, a Crown Heights activist, who contacted voting officials to determine the cause of the issue.

Behrman and Edu Hermelyn, State Committee and District Leader for the 43rd District, explained what had occurred and said the situation had been resolved.

“Each election district is assigned to a table at a voting location, however, due to this being a special election, there was some combining of districts, which some of the poll workers had not been made aware of,” Behrman told COLlive. “Now the Board of Elections has made everyone aware. So people should now head out to their regular voting location.”

Hermelyn said he wants residents to know that everyone is encouraged and has the right to vote.

He says if voters encounter any issue, “don’t walk out in frustration, please be patient with the poll workers…please ask for the board leader and they will assist you. You have the right to vote,” he said.

“We recognize that you are taking time out of your day and from your family to vote,” Yaacov Behrman said. “We appreciate that and we thank you for voting. Anyone who wants to and is eligible – go to your voting location. Make sure your voice is heard.”

Republican Conservative Mesidor Azor, Democrat Brian A. Cunningham and Working Families Jelanie Deshong are running for the Assembly District 43, which includes parts of Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, and Flatbush. Crown Heights United has endorsed Brian Cunningham.

VIDEO: Yaacov Behrman and Edu Hermelyn explain: