Orangetown supervisor rejects claims of voter suppression at polling place

A paving project at the Orangetown Police Department that displaced police vehicles to the polling location at Town Hall had some claiming voter suppression.

Some Orangetown residents who waited in long lines Saturday were claiming voter suppression caused by a paving project.

The project in the police department parking lot prompted officers to move their vehicles to the Orangetown Town Hall, where voters park.

The work was expected to be completed today and should not pose a problem for the next nine days of voting, according to Orangetown Supervisor Teresa Kenny.

She responded to the claims in a Facebook post:

“It has just been brought to my attention that paving is happening to the Police Department parking lot today, while early voting is taking place. I was unaware that this was happening today and reached out to the Department head, who advised me that it will be finished today so as not be an issue for the next 9 days of voting. While I am not happy about it, he explained he did not expect it would be a problem because the lot is around the back of the building. I trust his explanation, as many were surprised to see such a long line on the 1st day. I also reject any claim that this was done intentionally or as an attempt at voter suppression. Mistakes happen and hopefully we learn from them.”

Supervisor Teresa Kenny

By Saturday afternoon, an estimated 700 people had already lined up waiting to vote – one of whom fainted while waiting in line. An ambulance was called and the woman eventually did vote.

"It shows a message that no matter what the situation could be…It's always important to have the American people state their opinion," said Alfredo Castro, who waited to vote.