Ballot line reshuffling in NY-06 [UPDATED]

From Chris Bragg at the Fidler-Storobin ballot trial:

Assemblywoman Grace Meng was handed a mixed bag of news from the Board of Elections today: she was kicked off the Independence Party’s ballot line, but will now be the only Asian candidate in the NY-06 congressional race, after Juan Sheng was removed from the ballot altogether.

Meng needed 314 signatures to remain on the Indy Party line, but only turned in 105 valid ones, a BOE spokeswoman said.

Joseph Tiraco was also removed from the ballot, leaving no candidate on the Indy Party line in the race.

The news is good for Meng’s main rival in the NY-06 primary, Rory Lancman, who will run on both the Democratic and Working Families Party line. Counciwoman Liz Crowley and Robert Mittman will also be on the ballot. The winner of the Democratic primary will face councilman Dan Halloran in November.

UPDATE: Much like with Michael Grimm, Indy Party Chairman Frank MacKay released this statement of support through Meng’s campaign:

“The Independence Party wholeheartedly and energetically supports Grace Meng for Congress.  Grace is the voice that we need in Congress to stand up for hard working taxpayers, small businesses and Queens neighborhoods. While her name will not appear on our ballot line, we will be actively communicating with our party members to support her candidacy in the fall.”