New York congressional candidate Juanita Perez Williams is in danger of losing her ballot spot in the upcoming Democratic primary after 1,884 of her petition signatures were invalidated.
The New York Board of Elections rejected the signatures due to residents not being registered to vote as Democrats or listing incorrect mailing addresses, according to the Syracuse Post-Standard. Perez Williams was selected to be part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC) competitive "Red to Blue" program less than two weeks ago, but her Democratic opponent is optimistic she can get another 150 signatures invalidated, which would disqualify her from the race.
The DCCC released a statement praising Perez Williams when she was being added to its competitive recruiting program that it says helps "support Democratic House candidates every step of the way to victory."
"[Perez Williams] harnessed grassroots and local support to put together a strong campaign and fundraising operation," the group added, "Beyond her demonstrated ability to build a winning campaign, Juanita Perez Williams has a strong record of service and a message that connects with voters in New York's 24th Congressional District."
After invalidating 1,884 of the signatures, the Board of Elections made a preliminary ruling that Perez Williams had 1,393 valid signatures, which is 143 more than the minimum 1,250 signatures needed to make it on the Democratic ballot. However, she is facing backlash from local Democrats who are trying to force her out in support of their preferred candidate, Dana Balter.
From the Post-Standard:
Diane Dwire, of Camillus, who is leading the petition challenge, said she is confident that Balter supporters will be able prove that an additional 150 signatures on Perez Williams' petitions are invalid, disqualifying her from the ballot.
A hearing is scheduled Tuesday in Albany where representatives from both camps will be able to argue their case in front of a bipartisan panel of state elections officials.
The panel will make a recommendation to the state Board of Elections, which can choose to accept or reject the findings at its full board meeting on Thursday, said John Conklin, an agency spokesman.
Dwire said she and her colleagues have already proven that about 57 percent of the petition signatures collected by Perez Williams' campaign were not valid.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) responded to the news by castigating both Democratic candidates, saying that the more progressive candidate might beat "the DCCC's proven loser" before the race begins.
"Visiting Professor Dana Balter is an extreme liberal who can’t cobble together a campaign – but she might defeat the DCCC’s proven loser before they even reach the starting line," NRCC spokesman Chris Martin said.
In addition to issues with petition signees not being registered Democrats or listing incorrect addresses, there were also cases where the canvassers were not registered to vote in New York. Perez Williams, a lawyer who lost the 2017 election for Syracuse mayor, would be able to challenge the state's decision in court should she be disqualified from the race.