Letter

Secret GOP ballots are not the answer

When I read Mark Zimmer’s letter to the editor published in last week’s paper all I could think was “There they go again.”

I understand that it is good politics to make it appear that District Attorney candidate Steve Sessler is “running against the machine.” The problem is that anyone with even a passing acquaintance with the work of the Republican County Committee would realize that contention is pure hogwash.

The theory that Mr. Sessler would have won the endorsement of the committee in the original endorsement vote or after the primary ended in a tie if only there was an anonymous vote is laughable.

Eric Schiener won approximately 90 percent of the weighted vote in both contests. Does Mr. Zimmer really believe that nearly the entire committee was acting out of fear of the machine? Hardly likely in a committee that has had many close votes in the past.

If the vote had been held anonymously I am certain that the result would have been pretty much the same, except that Mr. Sessler would have learned how many of his supposedly “secret” supporters are liars. And that is the whole problem with secret ballots.

Members of the committee are actually elected representatives of the party members in their individual districts.

I want to know how my representatives are voting, just like I want to know my state and federal representatives are voting.

If you are not happy with the way the committee is voting, the answer is not to write letters to the editor complaining. The proper recourse is to become involved in the party, seek an appointment to fill a vacancy or, if that is not forthcoming, circulate your own petition to become a member of the committee.

If more than three petitions are filed to fill the two slots in any election district, a primary will be held to see who the voters want to represent them. I know, I forced such a primary myself 25 years ago!

In the interests of full disclosure I will be voting for Eric Schiener on Nov. 6. Eric is perhaps not the most charismatic candidate in the field but he does possess something more important: character.

I have watched with growing admiration the way he handled a very stressful primary contest. Eric has handled every bump in the road with honesty, integrity and loyalty to his party. In my world, those still count for something.

— Submitted by Corrin Strong, Geneseo