SULLIVAN COUNTY — Democratic County Elections Commissioner Cora Edwards is headed for four more years in office, if legislators agree.

Chosen via a series of controversial votes earlier this year to replace Ann Prusinski (who resigned in March amidst the settlement of a lawsuit over election issues in Bloomingburg), Edwards' current term only lasts until December 31, which would have been the end of Prusinski's term.

On Tuesday, the Sullivan County Democratic Committee held the required vote to recommend to the County Legislature who they want in that position for the next four-year term, starting this January.

Though an official tally was not publicly released, Committee Chair Donna Schick said Edwards garnered more than 3,000 votes versus challenger Moniquka Diaz's approximately 1,400.

A separate source pegged the unofficial numbers as 3,446 for Edwards and 1,421 for Diaz. (The votes are weighted and thus do not each represent a unique individual's ballot.)

“I'm honored the Democratic Party showed their overwhelming support to keep me as the Democratic Elections Commissioner on the Board of Elections for a full four-year term,” remarked Edwards afterwards.

“I just want to thank both Cora and Moniquka for putting their hats in the ring, and I wish Cora the best,” said Schick adding, “I hope we see more of Moniquka in the future.”

Schick now must certify the results with the county, after which the Legislature will hold a vote actually confirming Edwards for the position.

“This is a recommendation, and they get to make the appointment,” confirmed Schick. “I think they will go with this.”

But that's not guaranteed. During Edwards' original confirmation vote in March, legislators evidenced a deep divide. Some questioned her capabilities, others felt the concerns were political.

Ultimately, Chairman Luis Alvarez - a Republican who ironically had succeeded the Democratic Edwards as the legislator representing District 6 - cast the deciding vote in Edwards' favor.

Whether that 5-4 split will manifest again is uncertain, though it's likely there will be a mix of those for and those against.

While the ordinary citizen will have no say in that vote, Edwards is urging citizens to educate themselves about the upcoming general election in November, where a range of candidates will be seeking voters' assent.

“Voting is a sacred duty and a right we have living in a democracy,” she stated. “It's very important that everyone comes out to vote for local elections because so many aspects of our daily life are impacted by these positions.”

Edwards serves with a fellow Republican elections commissioner, Lori Benjamin, who was reconfirmed for a full four-year term by both the Republican Committee and the Legislature earlier this year.