Pelham Democrat Mark Cardwell Filed 16 Voter Residency Challenges

The Town of Pelham Democratic Committee stated that Mark Cardwell acted independently when he filed voter eligibility challenges for 16 residents in Pelham Manor.

Cardwell, who ran as the Democratic candidate for Mayor of Pelham Manor in the previous election cycle, submitted affidavits to the Westchester County Board of Elections on October 16. The documents claimed he had personal knowledge that the 16 individuals did not reside at their registered addresses. Most of these voters are registered at their parents' homes within the village.

The county board of elections forwarded the requests to the Pelham Manor Police Department to verify the claims. Police were required to send a detective and an officer to each residence to interview the subject or a parent. Under board policy, officers had six days to determine actual residency and report their findings. The visits began last week and prompted immediate reactions from several residents.

Paul Clemente, one of the identified voters, questioned the basis of Cardwell's personal knowledge in a video posted to YouTube. Clemente stated that he moved out of his parents' home more than ten years ago but returned to live there in 2013. He has resided at that address since his return.

Billy Foxx, another individual named in the affidavits, shared his experience on Facebook. Foxx described the process as a peaceful day of verifying he lives in his own home. He noted that it felt as though someone else understood his life better than he did. According to his professional profile, Foxx works as a flight attendant for United Airlines.

The Town of Pelham Democratic Committee released a statement today to address the situation. The group said no candidate or committee member had advance notice of the challenges. They affirmed their support for every eligible voter's right to cast a lawful ballot. The committee encouraged anyone with questions about eligibility to consult with the Board of Elections directly.

Mark Cardwell did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the filings.