Protesters rally at Board of Elections following Primary Day problems

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Brighton, N.Y. – Voters unhappy about their Primary Day experience last week made their voices heard Wednesday afternoon outside the Board of Elections.

Demonstrators were upset because they say the candidates they wanted to vote for were not on their ballots last week. In addition, they objected to changes in polling locations.

Election commissioners say there may have been some issues regarding how employees were trained. However, they say, overall, the process went smoothly given the challenges they were up against.

Protester Mercedes Vasquez-Simmons says her mother was given an incorrect ballot last week and wasn’t able to vote for the people she wanted. Wednesday, she said she doesn’t want apologies; she wants action.

“First, it was ‘It was only 10 votes,’” she said. “Now, ‘It’s two votes and we apologize’. Apology not accepted. We want to see the entire, both commissioners gone. We want accountability for what occurred.”

MORE: BOE removes employee from ballot count amid conflict of interest concerns

Republican Commissioner Lisa Nicolay says the board has nothing to hide.

“We had members from almost every competitive race, either a candidate or member of that campaign here today. It’s been a very open process,” she said. “We’ve allowed them to walk around; we’ve allowed them to see the ballots without looking at people’s names and personal information. We’ve been really transparent and I would invite them in to come and look if they would like to.”

Election officials began counting absentee ballots Wednesday. The process is expected to last up to a week, unless they file for an extension.

— 13 WHAM

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