City Politics
In a significant development in the Watertown City Council race, State Supreme Court Judge James McClusky has ruled that Councilmember Cliff Olney’s name will not appear on the ballot for the upcoming primary election on June 24. This decision stems from a legal dispute over the validity and timing of Olney’s nominating petitions.
The Jefferson County Board of Elections had previously invalidated 95 of Olney’s petition signatures due to visible alterations, leaving him 11 signatures short of the required 165. Olney contested this ruling, arguing that some alterations were minor corrections, such as crossing off names of non-city residents and re-signing due to water damage. He filed a legal challenge, asserting that he had complied with all court instructions and deadlines.
However, Judge McClusky dismissed Olney’s case, citing that the petition was not served within the three-day period required by law, despite Olney’s claim that he waited for court authorization before serving the petition. In his ruling, McClusky noted that while the disqualified signatures would have been reinstated, the untimely service rendered the petition invalid.
With ballots already printed without his name, Olney faces the challenge of educating voters on the write-in process and garnering sufficient support to secure re-election. The outcome of his campaign will depend on his ability to mobilize his base and navigate the complexities of a write-in candidacy.
Stay tuned to The Watertown Post for ongoing coverage of this developing story.
