Michael Blake - Update on Ballot Count & Next Steps

Dear Supporters, Allies & Interested Parties,

First and foremost, THANK YOU!! Thank you for your calls of support, text messages, e-mails, prayers and even your corny and lame jokes. Your support means more to me than you could ever know. I want to provide you with a short update on the Unsettled status of the primary election and our next steps.

1. Every Vote Must Be Counted

As you know, based on the in-person votes cast, we are currently in 2nd place, trailing only by about 4,500 votes. But, that number doesn’t tell the full story:

 

• 18,948 Absentee Ballots have been returned in CD15 that have NOT been counted - That's almost 50% of all votes cast on Election Day and through Early Voting.
• 3,828 of the Absentee Ballots returned are from the 79th Assembly District, which I represent. 
• There is also an unknown amount of uncounted Affidavit Ballots, which we believe is in the thousands.  

We anticipate the Board of Elections will begin counting the valid unopened Absentee and Affidavit Ballots this weekend. Learn more here. 

We must be extremely vigilant that all votes are counted. For example, the NYC Board of Elections has determined that a ballot that doesn't have a postmark and is received after June 24th likely won't be counted. Thus, the eligible total number of Absentee Ballots could be significantly reduced from 18,948. You may read this story for more details.

With respect to the Affidavit Ballots (also called provisional ballots in some locations), as noted above, we believe the likely total will be in the thousands. Note: If a Registered Democrat voted at the correct polling place but, for whatever reason, voted in the wrong Election District (otherwise known as a Precinct in other places), that vote should count. This reality increases the number of potential ballots to be counted.

As mentioned, we anticipate that ballot review within our District of Absentee and Affidavit Ballots will begin this weekend. The Board of Elections will count two (2) Assembly Districts at a time/likely only two per day until the count is completed. Remember, we have seven (7) Assembly Districts within our Congressional District.  Our Assembly District (79th) has the second highest total of returned Absentee Ballots.

We will be allowed to have two representatives from our campaign present per table. If you or any other Registered Democrat in New York is willing to count and review ballots with us, please contact: laura@blakeforcongress.nyc so we can slot you into a shift.

2. Fundraising Continues

We are still seeking campaign donations so that we can cover legal expenses as we continue with this initial count of ballots and address outstanding primary campaign expenses. The same donation limits apply from the primary election. Please use this link to donate.

3. Tell The Story

Please let people know that this process is not complete, as we could have at least 20,000 ballots to be counted here. But, please also share that this Electoral process, including the oversight, must be improved IMMEDIATELY and certainly before November. We should know how many Affidavit Ballots were cast, have a clear timeline of when all ballots will be counted, not have changes AFTER an election while results are unsettled, get clear answers about polling place changes, and have transparency. Lastly, we have filed in Court to ensure that every valid ballot is counted and to address any unintentional or intentional Voter Suppression.

Please let us know if you have any questions or wish to be involved. Let's continue to help our people as we wait on results and continue pressing forward. Thank you for continuing to #BelieveInTheBx.

Michael