In the Daily News political Blog there is a story about the quick departure of Manhattan Democratic Board of Elections Commissioner Gregory Soumas before a possible ouster by City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the city council. Soumas was appointed as the Manhattan Democratic Commissioner to the Board of Elections in 2005. There are 10 commissioners of the Board of Elections, two from each of the five boroughs, and one from each of the two major political parties. The 10 commissioners decide as to just who stays on the ballot, or who gets knocked off for not meeting the requirements of the Board of Elections.
In what appears to be a power struggle between City Council Speaker Mark-Viverito and Manhattan Democratic County Leader Keith Wright the speaker was about to use her power with the council to bypass the county leader to appoint a new commissioner from Manhattan after removing Soumas. The timing of his departure, right during petition season, was tough and should make it very hard to find a new commissioner with the qualifications of Greg Soumas one BOE insider said. It is not known right now just who will choose the new Manhattan Democratic BOE Commissioner, the county leader or speaker.
