UC Board of Elections Announces Department of Justice Inquiry Closed
Published on July 14, 2026
INGSTON, NY - The Ulster County Board of Elections announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has closed its inquiry into the Board and is no longer pursuing any investigation related to the matter.
On June 4, 2026, Commissioner Ashley Torres and former Commissioner John Quigley, who were jointly represented on a pro bono basis by the Washington Litigation Group, were notified that the Department of Justice had concluded its inquiry.
The inquiry stemmed from a judicial subpoena issued in February seeking records related to 573 voters who cast mail ballots during the 2024 election cycle. In response, the Ulster County Board of Elections provided a comprehensive account of the bipartisan assistance provided by Board staff to voters using the New York State Online Ballot Request Portal during the relevant time period. The Board also produced documentation demonstrating that ballots were properly issued to eligible voters and that all returned ballots contained the required original voter signatures.
After reviewing the information provided by the Board through legal counsel, the Department of Justice has concluded its inquiry.
“Ulster County’s elections are administered by a truly bipartisan Board of Elections whose staff work with professionalism, transparency, and great care to ensure every eligible voter can participate and every ballot is handled securely,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “As the information provided by the County's Commissioners made clear, our elections are conducted to the highest standard to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the results. Mail-in ballots, the focus of the inquiry, are an essential option for voters who would not otherwise be able to get to the polls to cast their ballots, and I am proud to live in a County and state that prioritizes ballot access and voter participation. The empirical record nationwide is clear: voter fraud is extremely rare."
"The bipartisan staff of the Ulster County Board of Elections work diligently every day to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in our elections while maintaining the integrity and security of the electoral process," said Commissioner Ashley Torres. "We are pleased that this matter has been resolved and remain committed to serving every voter, regardless of political affiliation, with professionalism, transparency, and fairness."
The Ulster County Board of Elections extends its appreciation to the Washington Litigation Group for its representation throughout the inquiry. The Washington Litigation Group is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to providing legal representation to election officials nationwide who are the subject of federal inquiries.
With the matter now concluded, the Ulster County Board of Elections will continue its mission of administering fair, secure, and accessible elections for all eligible voters in Ulster County.