ENDORSEMENT AT ISSUE DEAD WOMAN'S NAME DISCOVERED ON PETITION.(Local)

Byline: Jay Jochnowitz Staff writer

Michael Custard and the state Board of Elections have a common goal these days: They're both wondering how Custard's dead mother endorsed a candidate for the Albany County Legislature this year.

It's not a mystery likely to change the results of the Third District primary, in which the mother's apparent pick-from-beyond-the- grave, incumbent James Bouldin, lost to challenger Ruby Hughes by 60 votes. For that matter, the issue isn't even over a vote, but one name on a nominating petition of 941 other signatures.

But it could have serious consequences for a Bouldin campaign worker, who signed a statement affirming …