Candidate seeks change to petition signature rules
A Democratic candidate for state Senate says the Board of Elections should change petition signature rules to limit them or waive the process altogether in the wake of the spread of the coronavirus.
In a press release Gary Greenberg said that a Guilderland woman, who is an American citizen of Chinese descent, was “verbally assaulted” while circulating nominating petitions for Greenberg’s campaign for the state Senate.
A New York state health department spokesman said in an email that “concerns about the novel coronavirus should focus on public health and safety, and not be used as an excuse for anti-Chinese racism or xenophobia.”
In response to Greenberg’s release, the spokesman also reiterated steps to take as the coronavirus spreads:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
But Greenberg, who lives in New Baltimore, thinks more should be done to protect petition signature seekers.
Greenberg called upon the state Board of Elections “to adopt emergency rules reducing or even waiving the required signatures for candidates for state legislature to qualify for the ballot this year.”
Greenberg is running against Democrat Michelle Hinchey of Saugerties and Republican Richard Amedure of Rensselaerville in an effort to capture the Senate seat.
“People are scared,” Greenberg said. “Requiring petitioners to knock on doors during this unprecedented health crisis does not make sense and causes undue stress for all New Yorkers who open their doors to strangers asking for signatures.”
New York state health department guidelines to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus do not include avoiding normal person-toperson interactions.
Greenberg pointed out two cases in particular.
“My good friend of nearly 20 years was moved to tears this week after having doors slammed in her face from people who didn’t know the reason for her visit at their homes,” Greenberg said. “I feel terribly that my good friend suffered those indignities but considering the numerous warnings from government officials and media coverage of how to avoid the coronaviruss, the NYS Board of Elections must adopt emergency rules that reflect warnings to avoid unnecessary interaction with people, I cannot in good [conscience] continue to ask my petitioners to go out under these conditions.”
Greenberg, who has been a strong advocate for child victims, says the incident involving another campaign worker was disturbing.
“The Guilderland volunteer, recounted people screaming at her ‘to get away from their home and take your virus with you’,” Greenberg said in the release. “She never even had the chance to identify herself to most of the residents and this incident is likely being replicated all across New York State as thousands of petitioners go door to door getting signatures to get on the election ballot.”
“The biggest problem we have in this situation is fear, not the virus itself, and I’m once again reminding everyone to focus on the facts because the facts do not warrant the level of anxiety we are seeing,” said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a prepared statement about the coronavirus on Monday.
Hinchey said that Greenberg’s worker of Chinese decent should be lauded for her participation in the Democratic process.
“No person should ever be treated that way, and I commend her for participating in this Democratic process,” Hinchey said in an email. “We have hundreds of volunteers throughout five counties collecting signatures and speaking with voters and fortunately haven’t had any related issues.
“Like all New Yorkers, we are listening to the experts and health officials by following their directions to protect ourselves and others while going about our daily lives,” Hinchey said.
Amedure had no comment.
A spokesman for the state Board of Elections could not be immediately reached.