Elections Board asks DA to prosectue protestor
Tim Grier | 26.11.2005 14:25 | Repression
The County Elections Board voted unanimously to ask the District Attorney to persue charges against me for taking my time while voting. Apparently, you are not allowed to think while voting...
By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES jandes (at) leader.net
www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/13248547.htm
Luzerne County election officials agreed Wednesday to ask the district attorney to file a misdemeanor charge against a Wilkes-Barre man who stayed in an election voting booth for 30 minutes as a protest on Nov. 8.
The county Election Board, which consists of the three county commissioners, voted unanimously Wednesday to pursue Election Code violation charges against Tim Grier for allegedly willfully disobeying orders of election officials.
A conviction would carry a penalty of up to $500 and a year in prison, said county Election Bureau Director Len Piazza.
District Attorney David Lupas will review the request when he receives it, said office spokeswoman Carol Crane.
Grier had said it was necessary to spend 30 minutes behind the voting booth curtains to protest what he views as an unfair electoral process that makes it too difficult for independent and third-party candidates to get on the ballot.
Piazza said Wednesday that he contacted Grier by cell phone inside the booth after Grier had already been in the booth for 20 minutes and there were 15 people waiting in line to vote.
Piazza told Grier that state law says voters, are, in general, allowed three minutes in the booth.
Piazza said he gave Grier another five minutes and told him he must exit to avoid removal by sheriff deputies. Piazza said Grier still refused. It wasn't until sheriff deputies were on their way that he left, county officials said.
Grier has disputed that he was ordered to leave and filed a handwritten complaint with the county, saying he exited the booth "of my own will, without having voted, as I was uncomfortable being pressured to vote by someone who was on the ballot."
He was referring to constable Walter Griffith, who was running unopposed for judge of election. Piazza said that argument was invalid because Griffith was not seeking a municipal post such as mayor or council.
Piazza said he doesn't see anything in Grier's complaint that merits further action or investigation, and the board agreed.
Griffith praised the board Wednesday for pursuing the charges, saying Grier's actions could embolden future protestors if the board doesn't follow through with disciplinary action.
Grier could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
www.PaBallotAccess.org
www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/13248547.htm
Luzerne County election officials agreed Wednesday to ask the district attorney to file a misdemeanor charge against a Wilkes-Barre man who stayed in an election voting booth for 30 minutes as a protest on Nov. 8.
The county Election Board, which consists of the three county commissioners, voted unanimously Wednesday to pursue Election Code violation charges against Tim Grier for allegedly willfully disobeying orders of election officials.
A conviction would carry a penalty of up to $500 and a year in prison, said county Election Bureau Director Len Piazza.
District Attorney David Lupas will review the request when he receives it, said office spokeswoman Carol Crane.
Grier had said it was necessary to spend 30 minutes behind the voting booth curtains to protest what he views as an unfair electoral process that makes it too difficult for independent and third-party candidates to get on the ballot.
Piazza said Wednesday that he contacted Grier by cell phone inside the booth after Grier had already been in the booth for 20 minutes and there were 15 people waiting in line to vote.
Piazza told Grier that state law says voters, are, in general, allowed three minutes in the booth.
Piazza said he gave Grier another five minutes and told him he must exit to avoid removal by sheriff deputies. Piazza said Grier still refused. It wasn't until sheriff deputies were on their way that he left, county officials said.
Grier has disputed that he was ordered to leave and filed a handwritten complaint with the county, saying he exited the booth "of my own will, without having voted, as I was uncomfortable being pressured to vote by someone who was on the ballot."
He was referring to constable Walter Griffith, who was running unopposed for judge of election. Piazza said that argument was invalid because Griffith was not seeking a municipal post such as mayor or council.
Piazza said he doesn't see anything in Grier's complaint that merits further action or investigation, and the board agreed.
Griffith praised the board Wednesday for pursuing the charges, saying Grier's actions could embolden future protestors if the board doesn't follow through with disciplinary action.
Grier could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
www.PaBallotAccess.org
Tim Grier
e-mail:
tim_grier@hotmail.com