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Petition challenges have been filed and rulings issued at the Niagara County Board of Elections on several Niagara Falls races.
John Accardo’s attempt to secure a place in the Republican primary has failed, according to Republican Elections Commissioner Jennifer Sandonato.
Accardo submitted 321 signatures, 25 more than the required 296. Commissioners identified 275 as legitimate. Disallowed signers were either not registered Republicans or not in the city of Niagara Falls. He remains on the Conservative line.
Republican Dante Richardson was also disallowed in the 6th Legislative District for not having enough signatures.
On the Democratic side, challenges to petitions for the 3 candidates supported at the endorsement meeting by Mayor Robert Restaino failed because there were not enough legitimate signatures. Allegations of fraud will be heard in court next week.
Similar handwriting appeared on numerous submitted petitions. At issue are the petitions of John Kinney, Noah Munoz and Bridgette Myles.
Sources tell the Express there were numerous problems with Myles’ petitions, from unaffiliated or nonresident signers to one signer who is allegedly incarcerated. There are also allegations Myles had other people passing petitions for her and then signed the affidavit as witness which would constitute election fraud.
Petitions submitted for council Michia Lee and Sylvanna Rahman will be ruled on Monday.
Endorsed Republican Incumbent David Zajac and challengers Tanya Barone and Vincent Cauley were not challenged and remain on the ballot.
