Republicans fight influx of Dem voters upstate

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- A legal challenge that's holding up decisions in a small upstate New York town's elections will go back to Supreme Court.

The eventual ruling could affect the balance of political power in upstate New York, where Republicans have dominated for decades.

Republicans have challenged several ballots that will decide winners in a handful of local elections in the Town of Taghkanic.

Republicans argue people who split time between Columbia County and downstate are voting improperly from their upstate home and should prove it's their principle residence.

On Friday, the New York state Supreme Court Appellate Division in Albany unanimously rejected Democrats' motion to dismiss the suit.

Democrats say the court included arguments that support their

legal position.

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