McConville Formally Requests NYS Board of Election Supervise Putnam County Sheriff’s Race and to Impound Ballots

Every time you turn around Don Smith is introducing politics into those areas of government that should remain free of influence

Cold Spring, New York - In response to revelations that the Putnam County Board of Election Commissioner Anthony Scannapieco is actively supporting Don Smith, the McConville for Sheriff campaign formally requested the New York State Board of Elections intervene to supervise the Sheriff’s race and that the ballots are impounded.

At the Labor Day debate, hosted by the Putnam County News & Recorder, Don Smith remarked to the audience, “As I told Tony Scannapieco, who is supporting me this year…”  Click here to see an audio clip from the debate.

“Don Smith has no shame, whether it’s his mysterious sheriff’s advisory committee or the Putnam County Board of Elections - every time you turn around he is introducing politics into those areas of government that should remain free of influence,” said McConville.

In addition to Smith’s troubling relationship with Scannapieco, there were at least two other instances involving the Putnam Board of Elections that require the State Board’s intervention. First, last week McConville’s daughter who requested an independence absentee ballot was actually delivered a Republican ballot. Further, on the Friday before the Labor Day holiday weekend, the Board was closed during the normal county office of operations depriving an unknown number of voters of access.

Mconville's request for impoundment would require the assistance of the State Police, since the Sheriff's office is compromised in this matter.

He added, “It’s clear that Don Smith and some of his supporters don’t respect the bright line between government and politics, that’s why we have asked the State Board of Elections to step in to ensure a fair election.”