Chief Administrative Judge Ann Pfau issued an order yesterday laying out deadlines for the expedited consideration of litigation stemming from three state Senate races that have yet to be decided. The counting of paper ballots is in dispute in three districts: the Seventh, Nassau County; the 37th, Westchester County; and the 60th, Erie and Niagara counties. In all three districts, Democrats are trying to hold their seats in the Senate, where they now enjoy a slim 32-30 majority.
Under the order, Supreme Courts in those counties are to complete hearings and rule on all Senate election matters by Dec. 6. Appellate Division panels in the Second and Fourth departments are to decide all appeals by Dec. 15 and the Court of Appeals is to hear all matters by Dec. 20.
