Title: In the Matter of Anthony Peluso v. Erie County Independence Party

State: new-york

Issuer: New York Appellate Court

Document:

This memorandum is uncorrected and subject to revision before
publication in the New York Reports.
No. 182  
In the Matter of Anthony Peluso, 
et al.,
            Appellants,
        v.
Erie County Independence Party, 
et al.,
            Respondents,
New York State Committee of the 
Independence Party, et al.,
            Appellants,
et al.,
            Respondents.
John Ciampoli, for appellants.
Jerome D. Schad, for respondents Erie County
Independence Party et al.
PER CURIAM:
Petitioners brought this proceeding pursuant to the
Election Law, the General Associations Law and CPLR article 78,
seeking, among other things, a declaration that respondent Erie
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County Committee of the Independence Party's rules are invalid
and contrary to the rules of the State Committee of the
Independence Party, as well as an injunction.  The State
Committee cross petitioned, joining in petitioners' request for
declaratory relief.
The Appellate Division erred in granting summary
judgment on the ground that the declaration sought is an advisory
opinion.  A declaratory judgment action is an appropriate vehicle
to establish and promulgate the rights of parties on a particular
subject matter, including determining the parties' rights under
state and local party rules (see e.g. Matter of Conroy v State
Comm. Independence Party of N.Y., 10 NY3d 896 [2008]).  
Accordingly, the order of the Appellate Division should
be reversed and the case remitted to that court for consideration
of issues raised but not determined on the appeal.
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Order reversed and matter remitted to the Appellate Division,
Fourth Department, for consideration of issues raised but not
determined on the appeal to that court.  Opinion Per Curiam. 
Chief Judge Lippman and Judges Ciparick, Graffeo, Read, Smith,
Pigott and Jones concur.
Decided August 26, 2009
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