New York court grants hearing on Charlie Rangel vote count

On Friday, the New York state Supreme Court granted a hearing to examine the vote count process in Rep. Charlie Rangel's Democratic primary election in New York's 13th District. The primary was held on June 26.

Though Rangel's closest challenger, state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, conceded the race Tuesday evening as Rangel held a wide lead, the vote result has narrowed substantially since then, prompting some to doubt Rangel's victory declaration.

"Our campaign has not been allowed to adequately monitor the Board of Elections' proceedings, as required by law," Espaillat's campaign said in a statement Friday afternoon. "The BOE continues to stonewall not only our campaign, but also the news media, which is particularly disturbing given that it blocks the free flow of information and transparency—the bedrock of our democratic system."

Espaillat's campaign said votes in Washington Heights and the Bronx "have inexplicably been left to count" and an estimated 3,000 affidavits remain. Rangel currently leads by 1,032 votes, according to the latest totals available via the Associated Press. Results from affidavits, absentee and military ballots will be released July 5.