01-05-2025
Irondequoit supervisor sues to get on ballot, ordered to keep working remotely
Irondequoit Supervisor Andrae Evans is suing the Monroe County Board of Elections in a bid to be on the Democratic primary ballot.
Meanwhile, a judge ruled Friday that Evans must, for now, continue to work remotely, as he has been ordered to do by a resolution from the town board. State Supreme Court Justice Elena Cariola decided Friday that Evans could fulfill his duties remotely and that the actions from the town board don't hamstring him in that job.
Evans can successfully work remotely, whether in virtual meetings or addressing town issues, Cariola said. "He can do whatever he needs to from home," she said.
Attorneys for Evans have argued that he cannot carry out his duties from home and that the town board illegally placed the restrictions on Evans with a resolution. The law does not allow such severe steps from a resolution, attorneys contended, but Cariola differed and decided the town board was within its rights.
Evans is now battling both the town board, which decided he violated the town's sexual harassment and anti-retaliation policies, and the Monroe County Board of Elections, which determined he fell short of the needed petition signatures to be on the primary ballot.
Evans has pushed back against the allegations of harassment from town employees, who alleged in an investigation by a law firm that he made inappropriate comments, some laced with sexual innuendo. He also is accused of retaliation against complainants.
In his bid to be on the primary ballot, Evans needed 500 signatures of enrolled Democrats. He turned in 617, but the board decided, after objections to the petitions, that 128 were invalid.
That left Evans with 489 signatures. In his lawsuit he argues that his petitions do include at least 500 valid signatures.
Irondequoit Town Board member John Perticone is also seeking the Democratic nomination for town supervisor and has the backing of the town's Democratic committee.
The town board has called for Evans to resign, but he has refused.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Andrae Evans sues to get on ballot, ordered to keep working remotely
