October 9, 2008
And the Alves Beat Goes On
RI Supreme Court, according to script:
The state Supreme Court has deferred a decision in the case brought by Stephen D. Alves in West Warwick's Senate District 9 until Oct. 23, according to Armando E. Batastini, lawyer for Alves' Democratic primary opponent Michael J. Pinga. The court denied the identical request for a new primary election in Warwick Senate District 31 between David A. Bennett and Erin P. Lynch.
One would think the court would want to get election-related matters wrapped up as soon as possible (what with the election looming in just a few weeks). The odor is thick around this one. As Aldo writes in the comments:
As expected, the Williams' Court has once again demonstrated they don't base their decisions on the law or justice but on political expediency!In the Alves / Pinga Appeal, they've put off any action until 23 Oct.
This is three days after the date that RI Board of Elections' Executive Director Bob Kando has stated is the deadline for printing and mailing ballots to military and other absentee voters, the Supreme Court has effectively denied the military a vote in the November 4th General Election. Why a two week delay? This isn't a priority? They have placed their own convenience above that of our troops overseas.
Another issue is that when the BOE's decision certifying Pinga as the winner becomes final, Pinga then becomes the "endorsed" candidate of the "Democratic" party and would benefit from the straight ticket vote.
Something that would prove absolutely devastating to any attempt by Alves to mount a write in campaign.
It seems to me that the Secretary of State has to print the ballots on the date stated by law. Pinga is the "certified" winner at this time and his name should be on the ballot. If Williams wanted to stop this he should have heard the case prior to this deadline. But of course Mollis would never go against the powers that be and promote the "will" of the people. So the ballots will have to wait.
Posted by: bobc at October 10, 2008 6:57 PMThe State Supreme Court kept Steven Alves' Republican opponent off the ballot in November, and now they are trying to keep this case alive for another two weeks. What a coincidence.
Posted by: Damien Baldino at October 10, 2008 7:20 PMThis state is so corrupt. No wonder the Governor is having problems appointing his picks for board members on the RI Board of Elections. These people have it all figured out with their fixed elections. If the Governor had an investigation in the RIBOE, I have no doubt that the fed attorney's office would be involved.
Posted by: kathy at October 10, 2008 8:13 PM