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The Schenectady Informer has been closely monitoring the progress of Patricia Zollinger's quest to place her name on the November 2nd election ballot.  I understand that her election committee has been compelled to jump through several hoops.  Since she is neither a Democrat nor Republican, she has had no advocacy within the Schenectady County Board of Elections.

The Board is comprised of two Elections Commissioners;  Art Brassard, a Republican and Brian Quail, a Democrat.  Neither has been supportive of her efforts.  As a rule, at least one of the Commissioners will attempt to advocate for a candidate.  In Pat's case, she does not have that support.  In fact, I am told that as of this writing, both Commissioners have failed to address legal documents served upon them, with respect to General Objections filed against her by Democrats.

While Pat's committee is pursuing legal remedies, what has come to light is "The Hatch Act".  While I am not an expert in Election Law, it is my interpretation of the "Act" that any employee of a municipality which is wholly or in part funded by the Federal Government, is barred from running for elective office and/or make a "contribution of value" to a candidate or political party.

It appears, at least superficially, that some individuals currently holding elective City office and possibly elective County office, have violated "The Hatch Act".  If such violation(s) did in fact take place, the individual unlawfully elected must vacate the office and the agency employing that individual is subject to fines and loss of further federal funding.

One of the Federal Agencies that enforces such violations is the Office of the U.S. Special Counsel.

The Schenectady Informer plans to vigorously pursue these apparent blatant violations to their fullest extent, as well as the "lassaiz faire" attitude embedded within the Schenectady County Board of Elections .

A.J.