Stop Wasting Taxpayer Money to Suppress Our Votes

Dear Editor,

The residents of Orange County and the Town of Newburgh should be utterly disgusted by the actions of our local officials who are actively using our tax dollars to fight democracy and suppress voter participation.

In Orange County, Republican leadership is suing New York State to block the Even Year Election Law, which simply moves certain local elections from low-turnout odd years to high-turnout even years. Studies have consistently shown that consolidating elections can more than double voter turnout in local races. By fighting this law, Orange County is engaging in a blatant attempt to keep voter engagement low and maintain political power, all while wasting county resources on a frivolous lawsuit.

This pattern of contempt for fair elections is even more egregious in the Town of Newburgh. The all-Republican town government is currently fighting the landmark case, Clarke vs. Town of Newburgh, which challenges its at-large voting system. This system has long disenfranchised Black and Brown voters, resulting in an exclusively white Town Board despite a significantly diverse population. Plaintiffs in the case are simply asking for a shift to a ward system to ensure equitable representation, a change entirely consistent with the spirit and text of the New York State Voting Rights Act.

Instead of complying, the Town of Newburgh has wasted over $2 million of taxpayer money fighting this lawsuit—money that should have been spent on services, not on defending a system that is a blatant violation of the NYVRA.

Our Republican-led local government is spending millions to prevent people from being properly represented and from even showing up to the polls. This is not governance; this is voter suppression, funded by the very people whose rights are being denied.

This year we have an incredible slate of Democratic candidates on the ballot – including Mary Lou Carolan and Mary McLymore for Town Council, and Stephen Hunter for County Legislator – all running in the Town of Newburgh.

We must demand accountability. It is time for the people of Orange County and The Town of Newburgh to elect local officials who believe in true democracy, fair election practices, and responsible use of our public funds.

Phil Rothwell