Nordstrom: Let Me See Voter Materials Right Away

Alan Zakin, attorney and campaign manager for Republican Morris County Freeholder Margaret Nordstrom—narrowly defeated for a re-election bid in party primary counts so far—late Thursday filed a petition with the Superior Court seeking "immediate" access to  voting materials.

And by immediate, she means she wants the access Friday.

Nordstrom filed a petition Wednesday with the Superior Court to contest the unofficial results of the June 7 Republican primary. She is trying to overcome a six-vote lead held by challenger William Hank Lyon.

The contest is based on Nordstrom’s contention that a “sufficient number of voters were disenfranchised” because residents were prepared to vote, “but were denied through no fault of  their own.” Her petition said the candidate believes there will be enough contested ballots to allow her to overcome the six-vote deficit and be declared the party‘s nominee for the November general election.

Further, the petition said, a letter from Morris County Superintendent of Elections from Dale Kramer states there are seven “illegally cast”  ballots among the mail-in (absentee) ballots and the provisional ballots from Parsippany.

No date has been set for a hearing on the petition.

Nordstrom of Washington Township is a 12-year member of the freeholder board. Lyon of Montville is a first-time candidate.

At the end of a recount of provisional and mail-in ballots last week, Lyon had received 12,270 votes and Nordstrom 12,264.

Under state law,  Norddtrom has 30 days to examine the election materials,  but Thursday’s petition said, “time is of the essence in order to allow [Nordstrom and Lyon] to review the materials and be able to conscientiously prepare evidentiary proofs and witnesses necessary for a hearing pursuant to the contest.”

Further, the petition said, Sean M. Connelly, Lyon’s attorney, refused Nordstrom’s request for a consent order that would have allowed “the materials to be available for immediate review.”

The voting machine totals, mail-in ballots, provisional ballots and other records associated with the June 7 primary election are under lock  and key.

Thursday’s petition asks that the “impoundment of election materials be suspended so that  (Nordstrom and Lyon) can gain access to all Election materials held by the Morris County Superintendent of Elections, the Morris County Board of Elections, and the Morris County Clerk so that they can review these materials, including all voting machines, voting authorizations, mail-in ballots, mail-in ballot applications, inner and outer flaps, rejected ballots, registration books, emergency ballots, provisional ballots, affirmations and envelopes, voting authorizations and all other election voting materials.”

The petition seeks “immediate access to inspect, review and where possible, receive photocopies of material” so that it can be examined by Nordstrom and Lyon.