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Many Sandy Volunteers Couldn't Vote, Elections Officials Say

Story Published: Nov 9, 2012 at 5:45 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 9, 2012 at 7:28 PM EDT

St. Lawrence County Board of Elections officials say an unknown number of north country residents helping with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts were unable to vote.
 
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's signed an executive order allowing people in the disaster area to vote in other parts of the state.

But, according to Democratic Elections Commissioner Jennie Bacon, the only way those helping with relief efforts could vote outside their home county was if they received an absentee ballot before they left.
 
"I think the rescue workers were forgotten," she said.

"I believe that if Gov. Cuomo could do it again, he would probably include those people who are down there working."
 
"It's good that the governor wanted to make sure the people who were displaced had an opportunity to vote, said Republican Elections Commissioner Tom Nichols.

"It's a travesty that he forgot the people who were being the very rescuers that they needed to accomplish the goal," he said.
 
Nichols says new legislation needs to be adopted that would allow all emergency responders to be able to vote in any election regardless of where they may be assisting in a disaster.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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