Previous Story
Denied the right to vote
Two of our most important rights are (1) freedom of speech and (2) right to vote.
My granddaughter is being denied the right to vote in this election because of an error (?) in the Election Commission’s system of absentee voting. Although she requested to vote absentee and timely sent her request in accordance with the Election Commission’s directions (for which she has a receipt of confirmation), she never received an absentee ballot. And, in spite of follow-ups to ensure that she got her absentee ballot, it was never sent to her.
And even more egregious is that the Election Commission took no action to correct their error and ensure that she received an absentee ballot so that she could vote. I called the Election Commission almost daily last week in a last attempt to get the Election Commission to enable her to vote and I am told they will check on it, there is no record (although I sent over the confirmation receipt), they will check with the boss and get back to me, etc. I have not received a return call.
I read in the paper this morning that a total of 984 absentee ballots will be checked today. However, a total of 1,699 absentee ballots were sent out. How many other absentee voters have been denied the right to vote in this election?
Jeanne Rayphand
Gualo Rai, Saipan
