In early August this year, BTEC submitted 14,943 petition signatures to get our regional transportation authority question on the city ballot this November -- but two weeks after that submission, the Board of Elections notified us that we were just 322 signatures short of the required minimum.
What ensued was a runaround of epic proportions.
We had checked each petition page by hand before submitting and so we were skeptical of this ruling. We requested a review of the petition forms ourselves. First, we were told we could come in to review the petitions ourself. Then, with little warning, the Board of Elections (BOE) cancelled our appointment to review the petitions, telling us that such a review was "a waste of their time."
After BTEC went to the media, BOE agreed to allow us to review electronic copies of the petitions. Within 24 hours we have found more than a 100 discrepancies!
We continue to check petition forms, but the cost of disputing these discrepancies is not small. To overturn the decision, we may need $2,300 to cover legal fees and other costs associated with obtaining digital files.
Help BTEC stay in this fight so we can create a just and equitable transit system for everyone in this city. Donate today!