It is with a heavy heart I write this. Today is D. Hamilton Jackson day, one of the most prominent labor leaders of our time. While he fought tirelessly for the rights of workers, today within our justice system we lost a very important battle. Ken Mapp and myself filed an injunction against the Board of Elections asking that the court allow voters to scan their own ballots. Board Chairman Arturo Watlington spoke on behalf of the Board stating that the machines do not work how they are supposed to and that they will manually check the ballots and separate what they deem as spoiled. The argument is that with the current machine, the voter can use the symbol to vote and still intentionally bubble in other candidates that are not of the same party. The machine will then give the votes to the party symbol but if a voter chooses a gubernatorial candidate who was not a Democrat, the machine would read it as such and not give the Democratic gubernatorial candidate the vote rather the candidate who the voter chose. The voter will then scan their own ballot, the machine would read the ballot and show the voter what they voted and the voter has the right to okay it, or three chances to correct their vote. This system in place in fact limits the chances of disenfranchisement. Dr. Coverdale in her lengthy testimony proved this, explained the process in programming the machines, stated that they were FEDERALLY certified and the machines do work based on the extensive work of her team in which she had direct oversight. Despite the testimony by Dr. Coverdale and her explanation that what Mr. Watlington has deemed a glitch really isnt; he still asserted that something is wrong with the machine and by law the Board has the right to intervene if there is a conflict. The conflict in this case is the fact that a voter may vote symbol and still individually bubble in other candidates. As such, the Board feels that it is in fact over-voting and they will pull those ballots manually and not award the vote to any party. In simple terms, the Board is saying they have the right to determine the intent of the voter. St. Croix Chairman, Adelbert Bryan testified and his testimony supported our case. He told the courts that the machines were bought in 2012 because of election reform and he has used and tested the machine himself and they do work how they were intended to work. He said he voted against Mr. Watlingtons motion to not allow voters to scan their own ballots. Our counsels argument was based on Title 18, 584 (d) of the VI Code which states, In any case of doubt or conflict, the marking of the ballot shall be deemed to be valid in such a way that wherever the intentions of the voter appears, although the marking may be defective, the ballot shall be deemed VALID and such intention shall be given effect. The Board argued that it is their right to determine the intent and in that case will consider it spoiled. While I do believe the Judge understood clearly our case, she was bound by the ANTIQUATED VI Codes and as such could not by law mandate that the Board use the machines. This is a brief synopsis of todays case. My thoughts: Todays ruling is a clear indication that our VI Codes must be revisited, revised and amended to keep with current issues. I also do not believe that the Board should determine my intent and that I must trust placing my ballot in a box, hoping that it be scanned and not thrown out. I believe that the current motion adopted by the Board leaves room for corruption, election rigging and fraud. I believe that nothing should stand in the way of the voter and the ballot and each citizen reserves the right to see their ballot counted. I believe it is rather shady to have bought machines in 2012, hold a million voter demonstrations and the week before the elections a glitch appears. I believe that we are playing games with the people and it is time that we elect members to the Board who hold the best interest of the people at heart. I believe that if Mr. Watlington can boldly state in court today in front of a packed courtroom that using the machines is a privilege then his credibility as an elected Board member should be called into question. I believe that this ruling obstructs the electoral process and abridges the rights of all citizens and as such I am WONDERING why THE OTHER CANDIDATES NEVER STEPPED FORWARD TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE VOTING POPULATION?!?! Over 48,000 voters are affected by this ruling. I believe that using the machine to electronically tabulate votes will ensure greater accountability. While these are my beliefs I still hold steadfast to the idea that we should still vote. Please do not use the party symbol. Please pressure the Board to reverse their decision and use the machines!!! Please speak out. Whit McFarlane Jason Charles Ceciley Grant Robinson Avery Lewis Angela PayneElmo Adams Jr Gale Force FerreiraColette White-amaro Diane Khadyja Boulai Denise Frazer Julien Bowser SmithJr Heather Lima Kathleen Ryan Carla Sarauw Carla Bastian Merilyn Jackson Emile A Henderson III Sherry-Ann Francis Figgy Ogarro Shana Lettsome Whyte Terence A. Thomas Kim W AskaNik Syms Shanay FlemingA.e. Bridgewater Dynell Williams Carmen Cita Donovan Delano Hunt Barbra Ann Patsy Wiltshire
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 01:04:40 +0000
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