Voter league upset with hire

Apparently some folks aren't too happy about the latest appointment to the Knox County Election Commission.

You know? Rob McNutt? The fellow who managed to vote a few times outside his precinct? He replaced Paul Crilly. That's the fellow who voted outside his political party.

Heh.

Here's the story right smack here.

After it ran, I asked some folks later about whether it would be an issue – whether the state would sign off on the Republican's pick. (Of course it did.)

No one seemed to mind. Even the members of the local Legislative delegation who didn't vote for him. (Here's the scorecard.)

Apparently, though, the League of Women Voters of Knoxville-Knox County care.

And now they're taking it to the state.

I have copies of emails sent to Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett – one from Jamey Dobbs, president of the local league, and another from Lillian Burch, a member of the organization.

Neither is very happy about the situation.

I'd scan then in, but I'm pretty busy, so I'll just paste them in this post. (Note that the delegation and election commission members were copied on the letter, but I took that out because of length.)

Here's the first, titled “League of Women Voters of Knoxville-Knox County concerned about Election Commission”:

The Honorable Tre Hargett
Tennessee Secretary of State
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-1102

Secretary Hargett:

As a citizen of Knox County, Tennessee, and president of the League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County, I am deeply concerned about the selection process which led to the most current appointment to the Knox County Election Commission. Election commissioners are entrusted with our election process,which is at the very heart of our democracy. I understand that Tennessee’s process for choosing election commissioners requires that we trust our elected officials to vet the candidates to ensure that they are qualified both ethically and legally to serve in the position.

It was shocking to read in the March 26, 2011 Knoxville News Sentinel that our newest commissioner voted outside his voting precinct in at least six elections, apparently committing two counts of voter fraud each time. When asked about it, our legislators told the newspaper's Mike Donila the following:

“The lawmakers added that he [Candidate McNutt] contacted them to join the commission, and they talked to him a number of times. They didn't think about vetting his voting record."

"I think it would be extremely unreasonable for us as legislators - as we make a recommendation - to go through voting records and analyze addresses," said state Rep. Ryan Haynes, chairman of the delegation. "I don't think anyone would
imagine that we would do that. But it sounds to me that it's something we should correct." Haynes, who wouldn't say whether he nominated McNutt, added: "It sounds to me like whoever was running the election screwed up - having him in the wrong district. It's possible that it could have been an error. Maybe a little old lady punched the wrong keypad."

(Line to online article:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/mar/26/election-commission-pick-moved-didnt-change-his-ad/?partner=popular)

First, I feel strongly that a process that is so central to our democracy should not be taken so lightly. I urge you to put safeguards in place to ensure that election commissioners have not violated any voting laws in letter or spirit.

Second, I ask that you immediately take steps to ensure that the Knox County Election Commission meets those same standards.


Sincerely,

Jamey Dobbs, President
League of Women Voters of Knoxville-Knox County

Here's the second, titled “Knox County Election Process”:

The Honorable Tre Hargett
Tennessee Secretary of State
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-1102

Secretary Hargett:

I am concerned about the integrity of the election process and the current Knox County Election Commissioner appointment of Candidate McNutt.

How can a candidate be appointed when he violated the rules of voting himself? McNutt committed voter fraud at least 6 elections.

When he contacted lawmakers, they didn't think about vetting his voting record (Knoxville News Sentinel, 3/26/11). Our elected officials did not vet this candidate to ensure that he was qualified ethically and legally to serve in this highly important position in our community.

Please put safeguards in place to ensure that election commissioners have not violated any voting laws in letter or spirit.

Please ensure that our Knox County Election Commission meets the same standards.

Sincerely,

Lillian Burch, MA
Executive Director and LWVKKC member
disABILITY Resource Center

I'm not really sure what the emails will do. Or if they'll count for anything.

But, it's good to see people engaged every now and then.

I expect the league to be at the Knox County Election Commission's first meeting Friday.

They don't sound very happy right now.