Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,
The excitement of the race for Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts did not begin on election eve. It had been in full swing for months. After the two eye-opening debates, it became a clear and convincing argument that Michael Minogue had answers the current political incumbent did not, providing solutions with the best interests of the people in mind. Meanwhile, taxes, overassessments of untouched properties as a result of newer construction projects, high expenditures for bid contracts, overlooking illegal activities inside government, and not following the rules have all become common practice and a staple within Massachusetts government. Many are tired of the current waste and high prices created to price out lifetime residents.
The irregularities that have plagued almost every election for over 30 years have finally come to light. Too many concerns have been repeatedly displayed during the process. Many are questioning the authenticity of the quick call of the election results moments after the polls closed, while ballots were still in the counting stages by respective cities and towns. During the conducting of the election process, early voting—created for the overflow of voters on Election Day—now appears as the new method of suspicion. Mail-in and drop-off ballots can be made and submitted, but according to poll-day workers and eyewitnesses, the ballots were fed into the machines only on Election Day without proper verification. Was there enough time elapsed between collecting them and submitting them to read, file, and change those ballots to favor one party by their holders?
Where were they secured, and who was guarding the early-voter ballots that are submitted to be provided on Election Day only? They are exposed to be openly tampered with by supporters of one particular party, and without proper supervision, no one is there to regulate their care and control.
The multiple reports of broken-down machines, resetting machines, and the obvious early voting are an open invitation for illegal behavior. If corruption of this nature does exist, then how does the honest citizen or candidate fight this behavior? If elected officials dismiss the investigation, there is no recourse. Even if there were a recount, there is plenty of time to switch ballots and rewrite history in a closed room before recount dates are set and agreed upon.
As long as weeks before, absentee, drop-box, and mail-in ballots with no ID required, along with machines counting ballots through the hackable internet, are utilized, it is never your choice, but only those who control the count during elections.
Is it time for a new method to unfold? Only with organized development from intelligent honesty, and the willingness to fight for the future of our children and grandchildren, can we surpass this obstacle.
Rich Scirocco