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Felony charges in a pending election fraud case against a former Democratic mayoral candidate were dropped Thursday and replaced with misdemeanor counts, City Court records show.

Ernest Everett, 32, faced felony counts of second-degree forgery and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing for allegedly forging signatures on his mayoral petitions, according to court records. Everett is now charged with seven misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument.

A spokesman for Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Everett's attorney, Michael McDermott, could not be reached. McDermott has until April 14 to file a response to the new charges.

The felony charges were filed in September following an investigation by city detectives.

Everett finished third in the 2015 Democratic primary, trailing Patrick Madden and former City Council President Rodney Wiltshire. Madden was elected mayor in November.

Wiltshire's campaign unsuccessfully challenged Everett's nominating petitions.

kcrowe@timesunion.com • 518-454-5084 • @KennethCrowe