COOPER RIVER INDIVISIBLE’S REGIONAL ORGANIZER WINS LAWSUIT AGAINST COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEES

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ – Cooper River Indivisible’s Regional Organizer, Cassandra Gatelein, was a named party to a lawsuit filed against the Democratic County Committees as well as the County Clerks in Atlantic County and Cape May County. The lawsuit was decided in Ms. Gatelein’s favor.

The lawsuit was filed on March 29^th on behalf of Cassandra Gatelein as well as other progressives activists in response to the Executive Committees of Cape May County Democratic Committee and Atlantic County Democratic Committee, issuing decisions to postpone their respective Democratic County Committee elections from June 2, 2020 to sometime in 2021. Ms. Gatelein was one of the candidates running for Cape May County Democratic Committee who was effected by Sciarra’s decision. Judge James Savio ruled that the County Committees violated their own bylaws in making those decisions. Judge Savio ruled that both committees’ decisions are null and void, and that Democratic County Committee elections should proceed along with other primary elections.

Over the last several months, Ms. Gatelein had organized a slate of twenty candidates to be on the ballot for Cape May County Democratic Committee, only to learn that Sciarra intended to cancel the election. Today’s ruling allows the election to move forward, and prohibits Sciarra and Suleiman from undermining the democratic process.

“I am proud that we took on this fight to uphold people’s right to vote and participate in local government. Free and fair elections are intrinsic to a healthy democracy. During a time when trust in government is crucial and enthusiasm for voting is at its highest, we must work to make our democratic process more transparent and accessible to all. We will not allow party leaders to shut out the voices of progressives and grassroots activists, or arbitrarily cancel elections to maintain power. Instead, we will fight to ensure that the County Democratic Committees—and the party itself—are being inclusive of all Democratic voices,” said Ms. Gatelein.

“We are extremely proud of the work Cassandra has been doing to empower residents of Cape May County to become elected leaders. Today’s ruling is a vindication of her work, as well as the work of all of the candidates, and especially the democratic principles that our nation is built on,” said Cooper River Indivisible President Ryan Paetzold.

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