The New York State Attorney General’s Office is reviewing allegations — first reported by the Times Union — that officials in South Blooming Grove intentionally suppressed voter turnout during the village’s October 22 election.
Only 132 voters, or about six percent of those registered, cast ballots in the heavily Orthodox Jewish community. Residents later told state officials they didn’t know an election was happening.
Sen. James Skoufis, who chairs the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee, launched a probe after receiving complaints. Investigators found the Village Board moved the election from March 2026 to October 2025 during a special meeting announced with just one hour’s notice. The village also switched its official newspaper to a weekly publication outside the area and stopped posting meeting minutes for months.
Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Times Union managing editor Philip Pantuso, who said investigators uncovered further issues: no public notices about the election on the village website or social media, and reports that officials encouraged residents to request absentee ballots and hand them over to village staff.
According to the Times Union, a village official acknowledged in a phone interview that the election was moved to October because local yeshivas — key communication hubs — are closed that month.
The investigation also found the village never filed required state paperwork when extending board terms in 2021, potentially leaving the mayor and two trustees in their seats illegally.
Skoufis has asked Attorney General Letitia James to consider invalidating the election through a quo warranto proceeding. The Attorney General’s Office confirms it is reviewing the matter.
Village attorney Norah Murphy said the election was conducted “in full accordance with all applicable laws.”
Photo by: Times Union