You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the whispers over coffee. Something about "stolen elections," "statistical anomalies," or a massive legal battle brewing in the heart of the Hudson Valley. Honestly, the Rockland County lawsuit election situation is a mess of complex legal filings and emotional political rhetoric. It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to tune out, but if you live here—or just care about how your vote is handled—it’s actually pretty wild.
Basically, we aren't just talking about one single issue. There are actually two major, distinct legal fights that have been swirling around Rockland’s elections recently. One is about when we vote (the "Even-Year Election Law"), and the other is a much more controversial challenge to the actual 2024 results involving claims of "missing" votes and strange numbers in the Town of Ramapo.
Let’s get into what’s actually happening in the courts right now.
The 2024 Result Challenge: Missing Votes or Just "Bloc" Voting?
The biggest headline-grabber is the lawsuit filed in late 2024 by an activist group called SMART Legislation. They didn't just walk into court with a complaint; they brought affidavits—sworn statements—from people who claim their votes literally vanished.
Imagine you go to the polls, you cast your ballot for a specific candidate, and then the official tally says that person got zero votes in your district. That’s exactly what the plaintiffs are alleging happened with independent U.S. Senate candidate Diane Sare. In some districts, like District 39, nine people signed statements saying they voted for her, yet the Rockland County Board of Elections only recorded five. That's a huge discrepancy for a small precinct.
Then there's the "Kamala Harris vs. Kirsten Gillibrand" mystery.
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In some parts of the Town of Ramapo, the numbers look like a typo. In District 35, for example, Donald Trump pulled in over 500 votes while Kamala Harris got exactly zero. Zero. But in that same district, Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand pulled over 300 votes. This "split-ticket" gap is what the lawsuit calls a "statistical anomaly."
The plaintiffs argue that it's highly unlikely for hundreds of people to vote for a Democrat for Senate but ignore the Democrat for President entirely. They’re pushing for a full hand recount to prove whether these machines actually worked.
The Other Side: The Reality of Rockland Politics
If you’ve lived in Rockland long enough, you know about the "bloc vote."
Local political experts and the Board of Elections aren't necessarily crying "fraud." They point to the unique voting patterns of the Orthodox and Hasidic communities in Ramapo. It’s not uncommon for these communities to throw their weight behind one candidate (like Gillibrand, who has long-standing ties to the area) while rejecting another (like Harris) based on specific policy stances or community endorsements.
Is it weird? To an outsider, yeah. Is it evidence of a hacked machine? Maybe not.
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The Even-Year Election Battle: Rockland vs. Albany
While the recount drama is the flashy stuff, there’s a second Rockland County lawsuit election story that is arguably more important for the long-term future of our local government.
In early 2024, County Executive Ed Day and the county attorney filed a suit against New York State. Why? Because Governor Hochul signed a law forcing most local elections to happen in even-numbered years—the same years we vote for President and Congress.
Rockland fought back hard. They argued that:
- Local issues like sewage, zoning, and trash pickup get buried under the billions of dollars spent on Presidential ads.
- It violates the "Home Rule" section of the NY State Constitution.
- It would effectively shorten the terms of currently elected officials.
By late 2024, a State Supreme Court judge actually ruled in favor of Rockland and other counties, calling the state's move unconstitutional. It was a massive win for those who believe local elections should stay local.
Where the Lawsuits Stand in 2026
Fast forward to right now. The recount case hasn't just disappeared. While a judge dismissed the wilder requests—like trying to invalidate the entire 2024 election—the case moved into the "discovery" phase.
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This means the Board of Elections has had to open its books. Justice Rachel Tanguay has been presiding over this, and the fact that it wasn't dismissed immediately tells you there’s enough smoke to at least look for a fire. We aren't looking at a "stolen" election that's going to change who sits in the White House, but we are looking at whether our counting process is as airtight as we're told it is.
What about the "Evil UPS" theories?
You might have seen some wild stuff online about UPS devices (uninterruptible power supplies) being used to hack machines via satellite.
Let's be clear: experts like those at Verified Voting have debunked the "satellite-hacking" claims. Most of the technical "evidence" cited in Facebook groups doesn't hold up under professional scrutiny. The real issues are the affidavits and the ticket-splitting, which don't require a sci-fi conspiracy to investigate.
Why You Should Care
If the court eventually orders a hand recount, it could set a massive precedent for all of New York. It would be the first time a "statistical anomaly" alone was enough to force the state to double-check the machines.
On the other hand, if the "Even-Year" lawsuit win holds up through the inevitable appeals, your 2027 local elections will stay focused on Rockland, not whatever is happening in D.C.
Actionable Insights for Rockland Residents:
- Check Your Registration: With all this litigation, it's a good time to ensure your voter status is active. You can do this via the New York State Board of Elections portal.
- Verify Your Polling Place: Lawsuits often result in changes to how or where we vote. Always check the Rockland County Board of Elections website at least two weeks before any primary or general election.
- Read the Actual Filings: Don't rely on partisan summaries. If you want the truth about the SMART Legislation case, look up the filings under SMART Legislation v. Rockland County Board of Elections in the NYSCEF system.
- Stay Vocal on Local Issues: Since the "Even-Year" law is still in a state of flux, keep an eye on town board meetings. Your local officials are currently operating under a cloud of legal uncertainty regarding their term lengths.
The legal system moves slowly, and election law moves even slower. But the results of these cases will dictate how your voice is heard for the next decade.