Election Gouge

As many of you are aware, there have been numerous concerns expressed about whether all the candidates had equal access to the entire Class for canvassing for votes.  The perception of an “uneven playing field” was wide-spread.

In an attempt to address those concerns, the Election Committee recommended that each candidate be allowed to make a personal request for votes to the whole Class using the email list available through the Alumni Association and the voting window was extended.   A number of the candidates chose to take advantage of that offer.  These actions did not fully alleviate the concerns.

Because voting had already begun before all candidates had the opportunity to make a broad appeal, there was still a sense of unfairness, as those who had voted prior to the additional statements may have done so without full access to “the facts”.  The voting process that was in place did not allow for individuals to change their vote, if they desired.

After careful deliberation about the situation and upon the recommendation of Election Committee, the following actions are being taken:

  1. The current voting process is being stopped, effective midnight, 5 October, and all the votes previously cast are being nullified.
  2. A new voting period will start on 10 October and be open through 17 October.  As before, voting will be through SignupNow. 
  3. All candidates are being instructed that they are not to solicit votes or expand upon their Candidate Statements through the end of the voting period. This includes email, text, direct message, phone call, social media, or any other path. They must rest upon the information that they have already provided.
  4. The Election Committee will tally votes and provide the results to the Class Board prior to the Class Meeting on 20 October, as stipulated in the Class Bylaws related to Elections.

We recognize that this approach may create frustrations for some by having to vote a second time.  However, the Election Committee is committed to be as open and fair in the conduct of our election as possible.  We believe the above actions are the only prudent way to ensure that.

If you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or the other members of the Election Committee:

Your vote counts!

Regards,

Brett Ayotte, Chairman, 2023 Election Committee

Bill Burke, Member, 2023 Election Committee

Glen Ives, Member, 2023 Election Committee

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The voting for Class Officers will begin on 21 September 2023 and will be open through11 October 2023.  Voting be run through the SignupNow webpage.  This is the same site that is being used for our 45th Reunion registration.  If you have already registered for the Reunion, you will use the same login account to vote.

If you have not registered yet or will not be attending the Reunion, you will still need a login account with SignupNow to be able to vote.  It’s a very simple process:

  1. Go to https://www.signupnow.events/Home.aspx   Scroll down to our Class site.
  2. First, set up your registration account by clicking on the green tab “Classmates Register Now”. Once done. Log In.
  3. Login using the e-mail you put in your registration account and your password. 

The ballot is arranged alphabetically by position.  The Candidate Statements for each position are provided, followed by a place for you to vote for your choice by clicking next to the individual’s name.  You can vote for one individual in each category, except for the Trustee-at-Large where you may select up to five (5) individuals.

The candidates are:

President

  • Kevin Lynch
  • Glen Woods

Vice President

  • Christopher Dougherty
  • Matthew Elias

Treasurer

  • Kevin Liddy

Secretary

  • Vince Balderrama
  • Walter Sharp

Trustee-at-Large

  •  Charles Cone         
  • Lawrence Galvin
  • Robert Novak
  • John Semcken
  • Francis Webster
  • Randle Yarberry

Results of the election will be announced during the Reunion at the Class Meeting on Friday, 20  October, before the Navy-Air Force football game.  We hope you will take the time to vote and have a say in how our Class will operate over the next five years.

If you have any questions or concerns about the election, please don’t hesitate to contact:

Your vote counts!