Robert Gavin reports in the Times Union that on Oct. 25 U.S. District Judge David Hurd listened to arguments in a lawsuit about whether Rensselaer County officials are allowed to share voter registration information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. The suit revolves around the July 18 press release, “Rensselaer County Board of Elections to Share Motor Voter Info with ICE” from County Executive Steve McLaughlin, County Legislature Chairperson Michael Stammel, County Clerk Frank Merola, and County Board of Elections Commissioner Jason Schofield. Lawyers representing Rensselaer County argued that since the press release was put on Facebook, it did not represent a “policy” and was just the officials “exercising their First Amendment rights.” But the New York Immigration Coalition, Common Cause/New York, Community Voices Heard, and Citizen Action of New York, the groups behind the lawsuit disagreed. They say an eligible voter named Jenifer Benn said she was afraid to register to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles because of possible consequences for family members. “The County’s presentation today confirmed what we already knew: the County’s policy serves no legitimate purpose and is a transparent attempt to unlawfully intimidate eligible voters," said attorney Cameron Kistler, who represents the activist groups. "The County must immediately stop violating federal law and take steps to ensure that all citizens in the County know that they may participate in our democracy free from fear.” The judge is expected to rule on the matter before the end of the year. Read more about this story in the Times Union.