Hasidim Get to Vote; Dechert Gets $550,000

A class-action complaint filed last year (Moshe Smilowitz et al v Sullivan County Board of Elections, et al) alleged that New York's Sullivan County attempted to nullify the votes of virtually every Hasidic Jewish resident of Bloomingberg by cancelling their voting registrations. Plaintiffs claimed that this was part of an "assault by local officials" to "intimidate, slow, and rollback Hasidic migration to the area."

Defendants denied there was any discrimination going on, and contended that they were validly challenging whether the Hasidic Jews were in fact residents. To support the challenge, Defendants conducted considerable investigation and surveillance of Jewish homes and buildings to show the illegitimacy of the Hasidic Jews' claims of residence.

The parties settled last week. By consent order, Sullivan County promises to not discriminate against Hasidic Jews. Two other interesting results: all voting information in English will also be available in Yiddish, and a monitor will be appointed for a five year term to supervise voting challenges.

Finally, Defendants will pay the Hasidim $25,000 to cover their court costs, and $550,000 to plaintiffs' counsel, Dechert LLP.