RCS News

Clarification of Reports Regarding Allegations of Voter Fraud at RCS

(June 20,2012) Media reports out today regarding an investigation into possible voter fraud in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District budget vote and board of education election contained inaccuracies the district would like to address. Superintendent Smith was informed by the State Education Department that two complaints had been submitted to the commissioner’s office regarding voting procedures at RCS. Smith confirmed this at a school board meeting on June 19. There is currently no formal investigation underway.

The report in the Times Union on Wednesday, June 20 states that the commissioner of the State Education Department is currently conducting an investigation into allegations of voter fraud at RCS. According to the State Education Department, following the statewide budget vote, the commissioner’s office reviews all complaints submitted regarding voting procedures. The commissioner assesses the validity of each complaint and determines if the allegations should be investigated or dismissed. RCS was one of many school districts across the state from which complaints were submitted. The commissioner has yet to decide if those complaints warrant an investigation.

Along with the allegations, the complainants requested a stay of the budget vote and BOE election, which would put the results of the vote on hold until an investigation is complete. The commissioner denied the stay, and the district will move forward with the implementation of the 2012-13 school year budget and instatement of elected officials.

At this point, there are complaints of voter fraud pending with the commissioner’s office from two individuals. There is no investigation currently underway, and the complaints are simply allegations. Unless an investigation is undertaken by the commissioner’s office that reveals a discrepancy in the results of the vote, Ravena-Coeymans-Central School District will stand by the validity of our community’s vote of approval for the 2012-13 school year budget.