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July 3, 2008

Elections board rules against Republican candidates

Against its own lawyer’s advice, the State Board of Elections voted today that the five Republican candidates appointed to General Assembly races by state GOP chairman Giovanni Cicione were not valid because the names had been filed with the Secretary of State instead of being submitted to their boards of canvassers.

Board lawyer Raymond Marcaccio had recommended that the candidates be allowed to run and to pick up their nominating papers on grounds that the relevant statute does not specify where Cicione should have filed their names.

And, Marcaccio said, weighing that ambiguity against their First Amendment rights, the Board should err on the side of First Amendment rights; letting the candidates run.

But his proposal was rejected on a 2 to 2 vote. (A tie vote is considered a defeat.) The board then voted unanimously against the GOP’s appeal of the Secretary of State’s refusal to issue the candidates nominating papers.

Afterward, an upset Cicione said the Board’s refusal to take its own lawyer’s advice showed the system was rigged by the Democrats against Republicans.

-- Katherine Gregg, Journal State House Bureau

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson  at 2:00 PM | Permalink

Comments

They should change the name of this state from the Ocean State to the Banana Republic. This is the same loopy logic the Dems used to justify squashing the e-Verify bill.

Jenn | July 3, 2008 3:36 PM link

The democrats will use every deceitful means to keep themselves in power. Since their overtaking congress gas has risen more than 150 percent and is expected to rise. In the corruption state which is more descriptive than being the hope state, its no surprise to hear that the democrats are at the head of disenfranchising more than just the common voter. And now they rally against an idiot presidential candidate calling for "change." What kind of change? change back to a more corrupt governance?

Nathan | July 3, 2008 7:07 PM link

As a polling place warden for the last 4 elections, I can tell you that it's the job of the polling officials to try to re-direct those who are in the wrong polling place. Since the Board of Elections has not been able to accurately publish correct voter lists, there will naturally be errors. It's possibly not legal to disenfranchise a voter because of mistakes by the governing body!!!!! How un-American and has little to do with Democrats OR Republicans.

Susan | July 3, 2008 8:43 PM link

Against its own lawyer’s advice.... What does that tell you? Who are these people representing? Certantly not the general public. What, are the Dems afraid to be challenged? Well they should be because even they know how useless they are. In November, If you're IN, you're OUT.

Joe G | July 4, 2008 7:52 AM link

I am so sick of all the shenanagins in every level of our state including the providers of our services like electricity who, by the way are in bed with the PUC, that I wish I could afford to move away. The Dems in RI are being more and more blatent with their "go-to-hell" attitude and we just let them get away with it. Get smart Rhode Island. Vote all the incumbent buffons out in every election.

Henry | July 4, 2008 8:47 AM link

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