BATISTA TEAM UNCOVERS RUNOFF ELECTION IRREGULARITIES Candidates Challenge Hillside Election Results on Behalf of Voters Based on Alleged Fraud And Violations of Residents’ Due Process Rights
HILLSIDE, NJ – December 29, 2017 On December 27, 2017, Hillside mayoral candidate Jorge A. Batista, along with municipal council candidates Nagy Sileem, Joshua S. Greenblatt and Joseph P. Brown, Sr., filed an election contest petition on behalf of Hillside voters with the Superior Court of New Jersey, keeping true to their campaign slogan: Putting Hillside First. In their filing, the group cites irregularities in procedures used by the Union County Board of Elections in monitoring polling sites and accepting or rejecting vote-bymail applications and ballots during the December 5, 2017, runoff election for Mayor and 3 Council seats. Among their claims, the candidates allege that the Board of Elections violated New Jersey election laws by: (1) issuing voting authorities at polling sites to individuals impersonating other voters; (2) failing to properly secure provisional ballots; (3) allowing non-Hillside residents to vote; and, (4) applying inconsistent standards to the vote-by-mail applications and ballots. In the case of vote-by-mail ballots that were rejected improperly, voters were never informed or given an opportunity to defend their inalienable right to support their chosen candidates. Batista and his team further allege that campaign operatives manipulated the vote by employing fraudulent tactics designed to secure control of Hillside’s government, including destruction of several legally-voted provisional ballots. In a statement on behalf of the 4 candidates challenging the election, Batista said: “We believe that the true will of Hillside voters was thwarted, and even though voters may yearn for closure following an unusually competitive campaign, we felt this action was necessary after uncovering evidence suggesting that the election was not free or fair. We’re optimistic that, regardless of the outcome, bringing these irregularities and alleged fraud to light will lead to meaningful, lasting relief, ultimately protecting the Hillside community from future abuses of the election process.” The Batista team is also challenging the election results based on alleged violations of campaign finance statutes and the Uniform Nonpartisan Elections Law, which ensures that municipal elections are not influenced by party politics. Though they are all registered Democrats, Batista, Sileem, Greenblatt and Brown, claim that the Vertreese team failed to publicly disclose sources of their campaign contributions, including funds and other resources provided by the Hillside Democratic County Committee (led by the Committee boss–and campaign chair–Anthony Salters). With exclusive, unrestricted access to voter records and polling data, the Union County Board of Elections is uniquely positioned to detect voter suppression and election fraud schemes as they occur, and has a duty to shield voters from deceptive electioneering. But with the Hillside runoff election, the Board betrayed its own charge by failing to properly monitor polling sites, applying inconsistent standards to paper ballots and turning a blind eye to overt maneuvers by election-day operators. “Justifiable challenges to the voting process play a crucial role in ensuring government accountability, and maintaining the integrity of our elections,” Batista said, “and this particular case plainly affirms our team’s commitment to protecting Hillside citizens and their fundamental rights.” Grateful for the community support they received thus far, Batista, Sileem, Greenblatt and Brown, together, urge their constituents to stand with them during this investigative process, and call upon others to support their efforts. “This is not just a Hillside issue, or a New Jersey issue,” said Batista, “it’s a nationwide issue. Voting–the foundation of democracy–is not a privilege, it’s a basic right. It’s time for us to stand up to predatory politics and send a definitive message that, as a society, we cannot and will not allow it. I’m confident that the Vertreese team will join our pursuit to rid the system of voter fraud.