Trejbal: Registrar sent to the principal’s office again
Election mistakes demand action
Christian Trejbal
Trejbal is a Roanoke Times editorial writer based in the New River Valley.
Back at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, we knew if the principal summoned you to his office once, it was probably no big deal. Go in, keep your eyes low, apologize, take your punishment and get on with things.
If Father Styles summoned you a second time, the situation was dire. Your parents would be there; expulsion was a possibility.
Montgomery County Registrar Randy Wertz and the county electoral board have been summoned to the principal’s office (the state electoral board) for a second time in less than 12 months. On Monday, expulsion should be a possibility.
Wertz and the board’s list of electoral problems are a matter of public record. His office improperly approved candidate petitions, misinformed college students about their right to register and sent absentee ballots late.
January 30, 2011 - 8:23 AM
So far it seems like that one citizen is the only person who really cares (along with the newspaper of course). Has anyone else complained or expressed concern about this?
@1 Yes, Chuck, the Montgomery County League of Women Voters, Republican Party and Democratic Party all have expressed concern.
Time for Wertz to go…one mistake is one too many! Wake up Richmond, do your job, no more slaps on the wrist.
Chuck – there have been numerous complaints and concerns expressed! Unfortunately, much of it hasn’t been publicl with the exception of what has been written about in the Roanke Times. Thanks to both Christian Trajbal and Jeff Strugeon for continuing to cover this story. And if there is not a change as a result of the SBE meeting today, I hope the RT will continue to monitor the electoral board and the registrar!
#1 So, Chuck, aren’t you concerned about whether a registrar’s office and the board are following election rules?
The NRV Current news staff sent reporter Jeff Sturgeon to cover the meeting in Richmond, which is underway. Tweets from him and, more importantly, from the State Board of Elections, can be followed at http://twitter.com/#/nrvcurrent
The State Board of Elections voted unanimously to request Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli investigate violations in Montgomery County.