Riverhead Dems seek primary race recount

Two Riverhead Democrats who lost a primary election last week have asked a County Court judge to declare them the winners, saying the Suffolk Board of Elections never properly explained why it took several days to post election results.

"I was told I won one night, and the following day I was on the bottom of the pile," said Ruth Pollack, who sought the Democratic line for town council. "Something is wrong here."

Gregory Fischer, who lost the town supervisor's line to former Riverhead supervisor Phil Cardinale, said it is important to restore voter confidence in the election process, and that having the race reviewed by a judge is the way to do it.

Election results normally posted online by the Suffolk Board of Elections went blank on primary night and the board -- citing technical problems -- did not post its unofficial list of winners until several days later.

Board of Elections officials Tuesday said they would not comment, citing the potential of a lawsuit.

Legis. Louis D'Amaro (D-North Babylon) lost the Independence line in the 17th Legislative District to Dennis Garetano -- after being told on primary night that he was winning, he said. D'Amaro's office would not comment on whether he will file an appeal.

In Riverhead, current board totals show Fischer lost to Cardinale, 500-153, but a change in two dozen votes could have tipped one of two town board seats to Pollack.

They filed a lawsuit to overturn the election results on Friday, and it is returnable before County Court Judge Gary J. Weber on Sept. 30. Both Fischer and Pollack will be on the November ballot no matter how the lawsuit is decided. Both are on the newly created Riverhead First party line.