County Legislature Independence Primary Election Still Unresolved

Although Independence Party primary election results have not yet been certified by the Westchester County Board of Elections, the Westchester County Democratic Committee has released a statement indicating that Judy Myers (D-Mamaroneck) won the Independence Party's ballot line for District 7, which includes Mamaroneck, Rye, Larchmont, part of New Rochelle and part of Harrison.

Both Suzanna Keith, a Rye City councilwoman and Myers sought the Independence Party's ballot line for the general election in November.

When asked for comment, Keith sent the following: "That a primary was held at all is a win for democracy. I am grateful [to] all the people who came out to support me. I will proudly represent you in the November general election. I will also work hard to gain the support of those who did not vote for me this time around."

Unofficial results on the Board of Elections website show Myers with 70 votes, with all 54 districts having reported results. There were zero votes attributed to Keith.

To add a further twist to the closely contested race, three new primary ballots from Rye’s 4th election district were reportedly discovered on Sept. 24 by Republican Deputy Commissioner Nancy Meehan in a warehouse where impounded machines and ballots were held. 

“We don’t know the circumstances of how it was found,” said Democratic Committee spokesperson Cort Ruddy.

A court case to discuss the additional ballots was scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 28, but was postponed after final numbers came up and the ballot was no longer an issue, said Reginald LaFayette, the Democratic commissioner for the Westchester County Board of Elections.

“Both attorneys [for Myers and Keith] agreed to withdraw the case and agreed on the numbers,” said LaFayette, continuing, “Judy Myers’ lead was such that Suzanna Keith could not win.”

LaFayette did not say definitively whether the case was adjourned or dismissed. When asked for a statement, LaFayette said the case was "postponed."

Editor's note: This story was revised to clarify that the election referred to in the original version was the Independence Party primary. In the general election, Suzanna Keith will be listed as the Republican nominee for the District 7, County Legislator seat; Judy Myers will be listed as the nominee for both the Democratic and Working Families Parties and, if certified as winner of the primary, as Independence Party nominee.