(CNN) - New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand accused Republicans of stooping to a "new low" Wednesday amid reports GOP lawyers have challenged her ballot in the election to name her successor in the state's 20th congressional district.
"Their latest move to challenge my ballot is part of a much larger attempt to disenfranchise legal Democratic voters and delay Scott Murphy's inevitable victory in the 20th," she said in a op-ed on the Huffington Post.
The Albany Times Union first reported on Tuesday lawyers for Republican Jim Tedisco objected to Gillibrand's absentee ballot because the senator was in the district on Election Day.
Thousands of absentee ballots remain to be counted in the special election called to fill the congressional seat vacated by Gillibrand when she was appointed to the Senate. As of Tuesday, Tedisco trails by just under 50 votes.
A spokeswoman for Gillibrand said the senator requested an absentee ballot because she did not expect to be able to vote at her polling location because Senate votes were scheduled that day.
"The Republican's challenge is frivolous and without merit," said Gillibrand spokeswoman Bethany Lesser in a statement to CNN.
Lesser also noted New York state law allows a voter to request an absentee ballot if he or she has an expectation to be absent on Election Day. State law further says a voter must intend to be outside of their home county on election day, not the congressional district as a whole. Though Gillibrand was in the 20th congressional district on the evening of Election Day, she did not enter her home county, Lesser said.
Lawyers for Tedisco have not returned CNN's request for comment.
From CNN Politics
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This is really silly, so how many voters tend to be in town when election day happens and they already filed absentee? I've done this since I learned one could do it. It's a matter of convenience. o_O
What a surprise – Republicans are trying to steal another election. I'm shocked...
Umm, I thought one's vote was secret.
The right wing republicans will pout, cry, steal, cheat, and more to win. They are out of touch with America, and have their own self interest in mind. They will do anything including have the supreme court elect their president. Well we voters from both parties know this and the more ignorant they get, the less votes they will get in 2010. Al Frankin won and is he in Washington yet? Nope. He will be soon. You right wing losers will never be winners without the votes. You can COUNT on that.
BOY do the Republicans think we are all Limbaugh idiots!!! This is on the other hand is a positive for the dems as it turns many of there own into dems like my husband and all my in-laws. Thank you minoriy senators. lawyers and the party of the RICH tax loophole guys (mostly guys). Keep it up if you can!
Can the republicans try and put the best interests of the country in front of their own for one time? Now is not the time to be partisan and confrontational. Your backward thinking was solidly rejected last November!
this same identical thing is happening in minnesota right now. what an inconspicuous display of corruption.
What is wrong with you people? Is there a Democrat alive that doesn't attack Republicans when their own ethics are questioned?
This woman should apologize, as should all those who persistently attack and degrade their fellow citizens for exercising the constitutional right to disagree.
Appalling.
GOP and "new lows"? Is there such a thing? I just thought that when a new low was reached the right wing-nuts, led by their media masters, simply sharpened the shovel for deeper digging.
It seems that the Republicans are content with only disenfranchising more independent voters.
These republicans have to do all they can. The survival of the GOP is at stake.
Obstructionism, fear mongering and phony outrage are about all the GOP has to offer anymore. Do they not realize that pandering to the extreme right only further alienates them from rational, forward-thinking Americans (whom they DESPERATELY need if they want to be anything more than a regional party)? Political shifts will be generational and younger generations are not interested in what little Reagan and Bush GOPers have to offer.
Forget the GOP.. I can't believe their lawyers are actually jumping on these charges... times must be worse than I thought.
mark April 15th, 2009 1:01 pm ET
The new dem. motto: Don't ask what you can do for yourself ask what the goverment can do for you.
The new rep. motto: BUT MOMMY I WANTED TO WIN!! I WANT IT I WANT IT I WANT IT!!!! (best performed red faced and screaming, kicking in a circle in the Walmart parking lot)
The GOP has gotten away with dirty politics for so long, they don't know how to behave. It's good to see that America is waking up and reralizing how bad they are for the country. GOP's are not patriotic. They think that party victory and power is more important than what is good for the people. Look at Norm Coleman. He knows he lost but continues to obstruct justice by playing the court game to keep Franken from taking his seat. They are a shameful lot!
Well shoot; the Repubs didn't bus people in from other cities, nor did they bring in ACORN. I think this little missy is a bit paranoid!
All of you supporting the Democrats in this situation, where were you backing Norm Coleman after the first count in Minnesota? That's right, you wanted the recount, because you want another clown in the Senate, more Democrats.
GOP is best to have LIMITED Govt control over people's life. They are stick with LAW without any loophope or any dirty holes.
Dem loves to have FULL Govt control, where they WANTS to tell people what to DO without law required to follow.
There is PLENTY of list of pro and con on each party. But, all i care is...MY OWN RIGHT to make decision, as long I follow the LAW.
Mr. Thompson...thank you for setting the record straight about ACORN. That is the ACTUAL truth, not the so-called truth according to Faux News and Rush Limbaugh. Republicans thrive on making decent people enemies and fall guys.
Stop crying already Kirsten. Democrats in New York and New Jersey have election rigging down to a science. That's why so many Democrat officials are in jail or have been run out of office. And look at the Democrats in New York, from Patterson to Spitzer to Hevesi. You're just the latest in a long line of Democrats who don't want to play by the rules they impose on everybody else.
Corbett April 15th, 2009 12:57 pm ET
Ok semantically she is correct, it is a "new" move and it is "low." But I'm not sure if this particular play reaches any new "depth" for a party that has trouble convincing people that it's not owned by Rush Limbaugh.
Then why do the recount in Minnesota? I guess the Dems already reached that low in that contest. I'll take Rush over Nancy Pelosi anyday.
The GOP excels at stooping to new lows all of the time. It's their area of giftedness. Too bad they're not good at anything else.
@"AP in Illinois"..............truer words have rarely ever been spoken! Kudos!
The Republican "TeaBaggers" will stoop to anything to try and regain power. All of them are hoping and praying that our country tanks in order for them just to look better.
It would certainly be hard to establish a new low with the President's ?? lawyers currantly resisting a request for access to his birth certificate.