A Democratic political club in New York\'s East Village has taken an anti-Democratic turn. They have turned against Democrats, and they have turned against Democracy. They are attempting to rig the September 13th Democratic Primary by effectively barring women and people of color from the ballot. Two members of the club have each filed eight challenges against candidates in the 2nd Council district. They have filed more challenges than anyone else in Manhattan, and have challenged the greatest number of Democrats citywide. They tell us that too many candidates \"clutter the field;\" that voters don\'t know enough to make informed choices. They tell us that because they have a minority candidate, that race can\'t possibly be the driving force in their attacks. And maybe it\'s not. Maybe it\'s just a coincidence that almost everyone they challenged is of color. But the fact is that they have challenged every other Latino, every other woman, and the only African-American in the race. The fact is that they are eliminating diversity from the ballot, and they are limiting voters\' rights to choose. I started this petition because I am dedicated to community service, and because rigging elections does a disservice to district residents. As a first generation American, I believe that the right to vote is the greatest privilege in America. And more than anything else, I believe that voters deserve the right to choose. We, the undersigned, call on those club members of the Coalition for a District Alternative

Sponsor

Links