This archive report was first published on 4 August 2020.
Published on August 4, 2020, a federal judge in Manhattan ruled that more than a thousand disputed ballots in a closely watched congressional primary in New York should be counted.
Representative Carolyn B. Maloney is leading her Democratic challenger, Suraj Patel, by some 3,700 votes in the June 23 primary. However, the judge's decision may still impact the outcome of the race, as it forces the counting of a portion of the 12,500 disputed absentee ballots.
The ruling by Judge Analisa Torres of Federal District Court in Manhattan was narrowly drawn to address the issue of ballots received the day after Election Day, which will now be counted 'without regard to whether such ballots are postmarked by June 23.'
Mr. Patel estimates that this is about 1,200 ballots, not enough to overtake Ms. Maloney. However, the decision has been hailed as a warning about possible complications in November's elections.
President Trump has used the race to cast doubts on the efficacy of vote-by-mail systems nationwide, even as he trails in polls leading up to his bid for re-election in November.
