John,

Last week, Eliot Engel filed a lawsuit against the NYC Board of Elections to allow him to challenge decisions about whether or not an absentee vote should count — an act that would not only further delay results, but could also disenfranchise voters.

I've been working with our legal team since then to make sure that every single vote cast in our election is counted. But because of this lawsuit, our legal fees have now risen far beyond what was initially expected.

John, we still need $3,940 by midnight tonight in order to keep our legal team staffed to capacity so we can ensure the integrity of this election, and the results that we've worked so hard to achieve. Will you chip in $5?

The results of this lawsuit are highly unlikely to swing the race in the other direction; as of writing this email, I currently hold a 22-point lead over Eliot Engel.

I'm ready to get to work for the people of New York's 16th District. Within our community, I've already started taking meetings and listening to my future constituents and their needs.

But because of this lawsuit, I've had to place this important work on hold to make sure that every vote is counted and that voters aren't disenfranchised.

I'd love to get back to work as soon as possible. But first, I need to make sure that everything pertaining to this lawsuit is squared away. Can you chip in and help fund our legal team so we can be ready to address any issues that may come up?

Thank you,

Jamaal Bowman