Election Reform Needed Now!

Guest Opinion by J. J. Estemac

Is there anyone who is not cynical about the prospects of political reform to correct the many anomalies present in the current elections code? To those who have not allowed themselves to be overcome by the prevailing cynicism that has paralyzed quite a few of the progressive elements in our community, I would invite you to consider some reforms to our election system that I believe would improve the quality of our democracy. We should acknowledge that political parties have their place in the democratic system; they are organizations that develop alternative options for the electorate to choose. They are vehicles that promote different political philosophy or platform and serves as incubators for new political leaders.

A fundamental change that is needed is the redefinition of political parties. Political parties are private and independent entities not extensions of the government. As private independent entities, they are allowed to have their own governance based on their constitution and by-laws. Historically, certain politicians in combating the so-called political machine of the Democratic Party emasculated the party system to the degree that the parties are just mere shell entities without any authority within its own organization. This conditions needs to be corrected by restoring full rights and authority to the parties that they may fulfill their purposes.

The Board of Elections needs to be allowed to fulfill it primary functions, which is the administration of the elections laws of the territory. The Board of Elections should cease being the registrar for political parties and concentrate on certifying electors and political parties according to the Election Code. Each party should be made responsible for enlisting their own members at their own locations. The legislature as usual continues to make piecemeal reforms instead of comprehensive reforms. The legislature had relieved the Board of Elections from the financial responsibility of conducting party primaries, but they recanted under pressure from the democrats who are the majority in government.

It is unfair, unjust that the taxpayer’s money is used for conducting the primaries; and in particularly when it is for just one party, the Democratic Party. This party refuses to assume the financial responsibility of their own primaries. The law allows different methods for parties to select their candidates, primaries are just one method, the most costly. Persons interested in being postulated as a candidate for a particular party should be approved by the membership of the particular party and not at the Board of Elections. We need to put in order our political system as other areas of our government. It is unfortunate we allow unscrupulous politicians to confuse us for their own personal advantage. Let us reason and collectively decide our course of action in reforming our government, our election system. Primaries should be the responsibility of the parties if they choose that method of selecting their candidates.

I believe that among the appropriate reforms to our election system would be the institution of alternates to each elected office in government. In the executive branch of government, we have a Governor and a Lt. Governor. The Lt. Governor act in Governor’s absence and provide continuity in the executive branch. However, in the first branch of government when a Senator is absent his absence could affect the operation of the Senate, depending on how many are absent, whether there is a quorum or not for the people business to be conducted. To remedy that situation we are proposing that we allow for alternates, who will be elected at the same time as the principal candidates. There could be two alternates, first and second alternate who would assume the place of the principal in their absence or inability to perform. This would allow for continuity and progression of the people’s business. The alternates would be of the same political category as the principal (No-party, Republican, ICM or Democrat) but need not run on the same ticket. A person could choose to run as a first or second alternate as a Democrat, a Republican, an ICM or No-party.

Another important feature that has economic impact is the date selected for elections; it should not be on a school day since the schools are used as polling places. It should be held either on a weekend, a Saturday or on a Sunday. Persons who have problems with either Saturday or Sunday have the option to use the absentee ballots; they would not be disenfranchised. If we are serious about reform, we have to take the bull by the horn and make significant changes that would truly improve our electoral process, improve the quality of our democracy. This would provide for the maximum participation of the electorate by using an efficient election system. A system that is cost effective.

I understand there are some bills that seeks to make some electoral changes, while I have not seen the bill, I believe it would not be as comprehensive as what we have proposed herein. A Senator gave one hint to me; they are seeking to give convicted felons the right to vote. I do not believe that is a good move considering the present social climate. However, it is said, without a vision the people perish, and if that is the best these representatives of people can do, so be it. Voting is not only a right it is also a privilege. Moreover, people who have shown disregard for the laws of society even though they may have served time and may have had restored certain privileges we should not reward them with every privilege. They should always be made to remember they failed the community. Because what encouragement we give to others to remain law-abiding citizens if we are so permissive and then wonder why our youth are so wayward. What example are we providing? When people violate the laws by committing serious crimes and are allowed to participate in society like nothing happen, those that remained true to the values and laws of our society would feel cheated. As was prophesied: “There will be a time when people would not be able to distinguish right from wrong…” We would have become so liberal that anything goes; felons would be given the same or equal privileges as decent law-abiding citizens.

We as a community should decide which direction we want to go. What values are we going to cherish and uphold. There are universal moral values that are based on the universal code of ethics. Do we subscribe to such a code? I am not speaking about religious teaching, even though there is a lot of coincidences, but of the moral values that are recognized universally by most civilizations. We as a community need to be empowered, the Constitution, the laws of the land already provides for such empowerment, it is up to us to assume the responsibility that our democracy thrusted on us. We may note that anything that is worthwhile cost something; nothing from nothing leaves anything. So let us with confidence move forward together and make the changes needed for our own progress, our own redemption.

J. J. Estemac
CCBG
St. Thomas, VI

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