Moorhead Challenges Objectivity Of Board Of Elections Member Raymond Williams
Board of Elections Member Raymond Willams
The objectivity of Virgin Islands Board of Elections member Raymond Williams has been challenged follwing his reported participation last month in the public campaign kickoff event for US Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen.
St. Croix Atty. Jeffrey B.C. Moorhead has asked for a full investigation of Williams’ participation in the July 25th event and has called for Williams’ resignation in a communication to Board of Elections Supervisor John Abramson.
Williams is the Chief of Staff for Lt. Governor Gregory Francis and an official of the Virgin Islands Democratic Party. Board of Election members are required to refrain from any political involvement that might raise questions about their ability to objectively perform his duties as they relate to the electoral process. This includes public participation in events related to and the endorsement of political candidates.
Atty. Jeffrey B.C. Moorhead
Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen
In a written communication to Abramson reprinted below, Moorhead said that Williams’ reported statements on behalf of Christensen’s candidacy “will severely undermine the public’s confidence in your work unless it is publicly disavowed by you and the other members of your Board.”
Moorhead has requested that Abramson “seek the resignation of Mr. Williams from the Board of Election (St. Croix District), conduct a full and open discussion of this matter at the next meeting of your Board, and issue a written notice to the public of your actions prior to November 2010.”
The full text of his communication is as follows:
“It has been brought to my attention that in a public setting a member of the Virgin Islands Board of Election (St. Croix District) was heard to engage in partisan political statements about me that calls into question his ability to fairly discharge his responsibility as a member of the Board of Election. The legislative foundation for your Board’s work demands that members of the Board refrain from any expression or action that could call into question the integrity of the election process.
It is disappointing to hear that Mr. Raymond Williams appeared with Delegate Donna Christensen on July 25, 2010 in a public forum to announce her formal intention to seek re-election to the United States Congress. Mr. Williams was heard to make statements in support of Delegate Christensen’s announcement – a breach of his public duty to refrain from any political involvement that might raise questions about his ability to effectively judge the electoral process. His statement on behalf of the candidate…will severely undermine the public’s confidence in your work unless it is publicly disavowed by you and the other members of your Board.
People of every city, state and nation - including the people of the United States Virgin Islands – rightfully question the outcome of every election. Claims of unfairness — and fraud - arise, too easily, when those that are charged to ensure fairness are seen to let their own preferences and prejudices replace their sworn duty to the people. Too few people have trust and confidence in our government without needlessly giving those few good reason to join them.
The integrity of the election process is too important to conclude this was a simple mistake on the part of a well intentioned individual. As we all know, ignorance of the law is no excuse…and in this instance when people have been entrusted with a sacred responsibility and fail to uphold it they must be held fully accountable to those they serve. I am sure you will agree with me that the electoral process is one that cannot be compromised if we are to continue to have representative government in the future. The reputation of the Board of Elections cannot be impugned if the leaders of our territory - and our nation at large – are to be accorded the respect so vital to our future progress.
I call upon you to publicly address this matter at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure the confidence and support of the electorate. I ask that you seek the resignation of Mr. Williams from the Board of Election (St. Croix District), conduct a full and open discussion of this matter at the next meeting of your Board, and issue a written notice to the public of your actions prior to November 2010.
I am always available to meet and discuss this matter with you in further detail as well as to provide affidavits of witnesses present at the time this infraction occurred.
I hope you will do the right thing. ”
Jeffrey B. C. Moorhead, Esq.
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T, I am in no way attacking u (lets get that out of the way 1st). But I don’t understand what you are saying. So what if hundred use paper ballots. What would reason for them to be suspicious. They know the tide has changed for the governor.
can anyone explain to me where dober school is. I know it’s on st thomas but where?
They should have paper ballots and provisional ballots because they are for separate purposes. Why will workers get suspicious? This is our right and they need to be prepared. We have a lot of monitoring to do.
Leonard Dober School is located near the Market Square and is across from the back end of Methodist Church. Are you coming to look for me? lol
Will all the polls be open for Primary? This may be another stunt they may come up with to frustrate vote3rs…Arturo’s idea.
I thought that provisional ballots were only used when you don’t vote at your assigned polling station. I hear Abramson say that they are not required to give anyway secret paper ballots because they have the machines. And the only choice the voter has is the provision ballot or the machine. We need another protest!
Well I’m a Mapp supporter and I remember how posters on CIF, whom we found out to be Donastorg, started attacking Mapp about every detail in his professional and private life. The thread got so long that CIF closed it off for discussion. The sea of blue that trumped the DeJongh white got Foncie and DeJongh scared to this day.
No you don’t have to worry about me stalking you. Lol % was curious because I was born and raised on st thomas but I still don’t know the all parts of the island.
10:50, I had a loong talk with Mapp so I know you are not a MAPP supporter. Your trying to cause problems between Donastorg and Mapp because the word is that Mapp supporters will not vote for Luz James. Go to bed it’s late. Try again tomorrow.
Well, Abrahamsen will be on Mario on Monday so he better have a solution for us requesting paper ballots or else, protest, protest.
@10:50
don’t you people always see you are caught in lies. ‘you found out it was Donastorg’ WHATEVER! We suppose to believe that. Your not the CIF Admin and your not GOD so how did you supposedly find this out?
Go tell your lies to a rock. You have a better chance of it hearing and believing you.
not just paper ballots but secret paper ballots. Ballots where your not required to fill out your name, address etc.
Anonymous @ 10:50 p.m., where do you get your information?
He/She must be saying they are computer hackers or something.
In 2006 Turnbull brought Tortolians by the BOATLOADS to vote in OUR election which got him elected. This was done in plain sight (I guess our eyes were “Shut-WIDE-OPEN”). Now you are demanding paper ballots. It’s your right, but I mean our people are SOOOOO easily influenced: by thieves, murderers, child molesters (DUNCIE). MY PEOPLE ARE JOKEY.
Correction: Mapp for the general
I posted the above statements on the incorrect board. Administrator, could you please remove them? They were meant for the “Politcal Forum” board. Thanks.
Jeffrey I love You, God Bless.
To every VI voter. Check with the Board of Election and you will find out that Luz James has never abandon his job as Lt Governor and ran for Congress will serving as Lt Governor.
Mapp is the first Lt Governor in VI history that abandon his job as Lt Governor and ran for Congress. Luz is a true crucian and not Mapp.
The issue is not who is a real crucian. As Lt.Governor what has Luz James did as being in charge of Banking and Insurance which includes Property Tax.People these are very very serious times and we as voters needs to be informed about the issues and then decide. Please don’t vote on emotions.