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April 28, 2008

Common Cause sees crisis ahead for Elections Board

In other election-related news, the government watchdog group Common Cause of Rhode Island has raised a red flag about the lingering vacancies on the state’s seven-member Board of Elections, saying the empty seats could soon create “a major political crisis” in this state.

In a letter to Governor Carcieri last week, Common Cause Executive Director Christine Lopes said the organization “is gravely concerned that if appointments to fill three vacancies are not submitted immediately for Senate confirmation, a major political crisis faces Rhode Island.”

Member Judith Bailey resigned in 2005; Roger Begin departed in 2006; and Thomas V. Iannitti turned in his resignation last month, Elections Board Executive Director Robert Kando told Political Scene.

Governor Carcieri has not filled any of the three seats, despite a law that dictates that he must appoint replacements within 30 days.

Kando says if a fourth member, Florence Gormley, resigns as expected this summer, the board will be unable to convene a four-member quorum that is necessary to oversee and administer elections and certify the results of primary and general elections.

But even now the board routinely struggles to summon a quorum needed to conduct business. “If something comes up for one [member], everything is off,” Kando said.

“Without a quorum, we can’t act.”

Carcieri pokesman Jeff Neal did not return a call for comment last week.

Posted by Pam Cotter  at 9:23 AM | Permalink

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