Five unsuccessful candidates from the 2012 election are asking a federal judge to halt the swearing-in of the territory’s newest elected officials, claiming irregularities in the election cycle prevented a fair vote. In an amended complaint filed Dec. 21, Senatorial candidate Lawrence Olive, Senate At-large candidate Wilma Marsh-Monsanto, Delegate to Congress candidate Norma Pickard-Samuel and Board of Elections candidates Harriet Mercer and Diane Magras are seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the January swearing-in ceremony.
Each party is acting “pro se” and representing himself or herself. Listed as defendants are the Joint Board of Elections; the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John District Boards of Elections, along with their respective chairpersons, Rupert Ross Jr. and Alecia Wells; and V.I. Elections Supervisor John Abramson Jr.
“Defendants have routinely faced, and ignored, admonishment by the Court pertaining to their disregard for statutory mandate,” the complaint reads.
In a number of respects, the amended complaint mirrors a similar one filed Dec. 11 in District Court, including allegations that the Elections System violated the federal Help America Vote Act and other federal and local laws, in part by allowing the use of voting machines that are not compliant with federal standards.
Full Article: 5 losing candidates ask judge to stop swearing-in – News – Virgin Islands Daily News.