Wolf v. Acito

369 N.E.2d 1178, 42 N.Y.2d 1076, 399 N.Y.S.2d 644, 1977 N.Y. LEXIS 2417

Opinion

Memorandum. We conclude that the State Board of Elections acted erroneously in the manner of conducting the drawing requested by petitioner because, in the nature of the drawing chosen, petitioner bore an unequal risk of obtaining an unfavorable position of the ballot. The board, of course, had to take into account the mechanical limitations of the voting machine, and hence could not place petitioner’s name in column 2. At least Special Term’s method proposed no unfair weighting on any of the candidates. While we agree with the Appellate Division’s conclusion that the State board did not follow the directive of section 104 of the Election Law, we do not regard it as practically desirable that a new lottery should be conducted.

Accordingly, the order of the Appellate Division should be reversed, without costs, and the judgment of Supreme Court, Albany County, reinstated.

Chief Judge Breitel and Judges Gabrielli, Jones, Wachtler, Fuchsberg and Cooke concur in memorandum; Judge Jasen taking no part.

Order reversed, etc.