Challenger responds to Standard’s editorial that they are ‘not needed’
STAFF REPORT
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, 10 a.m. — Editor’s Note: In today’s edition of The Kentucky Standard, the newspaper’s editorial board slammed the concept of having election challengers in Nelson County, stating they were “not needed” and attempted to link the two challengers to what they perceive as “systematic Republican attempts to disenfranchise Democratic voters.” Donna Molyneaux, one of the two local women appointed as challengers, provided the text below of her response to the Kentucky Standard’s editorial board.
To the KentuckyStandard Editorial Board:
TRUST BUT VERIFY
In response to the opinion editorial piece titled “Election challengers are not needed in Nelson”, was this really written by educated professional journalists? Talk about the liberal media, I guess we all know which party The Kentucky Standard Editorial Board supports. I cannot believe how much “hoopla” election challengers has stirred up. I guess this is big news in a small town. What is the big deal?
I went to election training Tuesday night and the trainer was very clear to all the election officers that “challengers” are no big deal, that they should all relax and that the local paper had stirred this up this issue. The trainer, Megan Harp, told the group that they were all basically challengers. It was everyone’s duty to question the individual if their identity or address could not be verified or they suspected any other reason why the person should not cast a ballot. The two primary responsibilities of the election officers are to verify the voter’s identity and current address.
I have 25 years of bank auditing experience and I can tell you that no one ever expects fraud. Most of the fraud cases I have discovered have been perpetrated by the person you would least suspect. Anyone remember the local church secretary or the Boy Scout leader who were caught stealing?
Fraud can be as simple as someone trying to vote in the wrong precinct. Why is that important? Because we have city races and different school board races, and the ballot you are given to complete depends on where you live. Nelson County’s record of fraud may be a result of not catching it, rather than not having it. What is wrong with an extra set of eyes and ears? You might be shocked to hear that several people came of up to me at the election training and said; “Thank you for doing this”; “I am ashamed of the way the local paper has covered this,” and “You will see a lot of smiling faces on Election Day, we welcome you.” Anyone with any common sense would welcome some extra “free” help. challengers do not cost the tax payers anything, we do it voluntarily. The other election officers are paid.
Since challengers seem to upset the Democrats and the Standard so much, I have decided to be an election challenger at every election and to recruit more people to join to me. Only people who have something to hide fear the auditor. Their over the top opposition to challenges makes my auditor antenna go up. What are the Democrats and the Standard so afraid of?
I am setting a goal to have a challenger in every precinct. I want everyone to vote and every vote to be legitimate. I have no problem challenging a Republican if I believe there is a question about the voter’s identity or address. While I am a registered Republican, my primary goal is fairness. Winning by cheating is not a win in my book.
If challengers bother you, my suggestion is to gather support and lobby the Kentucky State Board of Elections to change the rules. Obviously, the board thought this was a necessary function. But until state law is changed, I will be watching!
For more information on the role of a challenger, please click this link to download a copy of the 2012 Precinct Election Officer Guide. See page 33 for details on what an election challenger can and can’t do.
Donna L. Molyneaux
Bardstown, KY 40004
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