Ballot fraud allegations swirl in Rensselaer County
RENSSELAER – The State Police recently launched an investigation into allegations of widespread absentee-ballot fraud that have been swirling in Rensselaer County in the wake of Tuesday's elections, including in several tight races in the city of Rensselaer that remain undecided.
The accusations, leveled by opposing Republican and Democratic camps, are being made in a year in which a high number of absentee ballots were issued to political operatives and campaign volunteers on behalf of voters who authorized the individuals to handle their ballot.
The State Police investigation is examining absentee ballots in the city of Rensselaer, where Republican incumbent Mayor Michael E. Stammel and a Democratic challenger, former Mayor Richard J. Mooney, were separated by a handful of votes heading into Monday, when the absentee ballots began to be counted.
A criminal complaint that sparked the probe was filed by Todd Rutecki, a campaign volunteer for Mooney. The complaint included an affidavit signed by Shawn Redden, a local mason, who claimed he never authorized anyone to apply for an absentee ballot on his behalf.
Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/rensselaer-county-ballot-fraud-16595910.php
(Albany Times Union)