While it is understandable that "intent" of an Alaskan voter should be honored, Alaska's Supreme Court has issued a ruling that defies reason and appears to lend a significant helping hand to one particular write-in candidate, despite the fact that the list of write-in Senate candidates in Alaska have been significantly expanded.
The seven-page ruling seems to say "anything goes" if poll workers wish to "assist" a voter. It provides significant leeway and writes into the ruling significant ambiguity--ensuring that there will be no clear and consistent rules for poll workers in Alaska to follow this year.
ADN (Anchorage Daily News) news story and access to pdf of entire ruling is currently available at:
http://adn.com
It's highly unlikely that poll workers will keep a handy reference of the seven page legal ruling. Likewise, poll watchers and poll workers surely could argue interpretation of this ruling as much as the various lawyers and plaintiffs in this case. The ruling ensures that no clear and consistent guidelines exist. All can be argued.
Also of concern is that the actual facts of the case have been misrepresented. The ruling fails to address the instances where illegal lists (those with party affiliations listed and only three candidates) have already been used, posted inside actual voting booths, and in one place where a poll watcher testing the system was told, "Since it is only you and me here, you write in the candidate's name right here on this line and this is how you spell it."
the Supreme Court gave deference to the Division of Elections for "interpreting their own ruling, if their rules are vague or ambiguous."
The Alaska Division of Elections has already publicly announced they will allow considerable latitude in determining the intent of the voter in counting write-in votes, should such a manual count be needed (if the write-in votes exceed the votes of any other candidate in the race).
The ruling also said no votes need to be segregated with respect to the providing of write-in lists.
All this leaves Alaskans with a serious distrust of their Department of Elections and their Supreme Court Justices at a critical time in the election process.
While everyone should be free to vote their choice, such unprecedented action in Alaska by the Division of Elections and the Supreme Court to "assist" one well-known establishment write-in leaves many Alaskans questioning the ethics of their government at all levels.
One of the justices signing on to the ruling is up for vote for retention or not by Alaskans also this year, Justice Dana Fabe.
The ruling by Alaska's Superior Court Judge earlier this week stated that Alaska's law was clear and information about write-in candidates could not be provided at the polls.
The following is the list of "official" write in candidates for the Senate seat in Alaska as posted on the Division of Elections website as of today. I don't know if anyone has seen a new "list" actually distributed to the polls. Looks like Lisa M. Lackey may have survived the purge to prove most helpful in determining "intent," should that be necessary at a later date.
* Michael Alexander (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Michael R. Alexander (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Ballot name issues
* Michael Ames (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* William H. Amidon (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Residency date Conflicts
* Daryl D. Anderson (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Tigran A. "Tig" Andrew (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Susan J. Apling-Gilman (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Gregorio A. Apodaca (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Residency date Conflicts
* David J. Arduser (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - did not meet age requirementt
* Jeff G. Arentz (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - incomplete paperwork
* Kevin Austin (Republican) - Write-in
* Lawrence W. "Larry" Austin (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Carita Backman (Republican) - Write-in
* Keith Barkwood (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Michelle A. Barnes (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Thomas Baxter (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* David E. Beeman (Republican) - Write-in
* Vicky L. Beeman (Republican) - Write-in
* Elva G. Bettine (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Ballot name issues
* Mark W. Bills (Republican) - Write-in
* LaVonne Boyd (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* David Boyle (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Red K. Bradley (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Kory W. Bradshaw (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - incomplete paperwork
* Richard O. Braun (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* William P. "Bill" Brownfield (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Ken Bullard (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Linda Bullard (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Richard O. Burns (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Michael Butler (Republican) - Write-in
* Vern Carlson (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Tim Carter (Non-Affiliated) Nominating Petition Candidate
PO Box 435
Girdwood, AK 99587
Phone: (907) 947-9911
e-mail: tcarter1940@yahoo.com
Candidate's web site: http://www.carterforsenate.org
* Curtis G. Champagne (Republican) - Write-in
* Kris A. Chernik (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Elizabeth A. Cherry (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* John P. Collinge (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Fred W. "Bill" Colson (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Gary C.L. Cox (Republican) - Write-in
* DaRae K. Crews (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Margaret A. "Maggie" Crowell (Republican) - Write-in
* Lisa L. Crusberg (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Guy A. Cummins (Democrat) - Write-in
* Dana Davis (Republican) - Write-in
* John Davis (AK Independence) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Karen S. Deardorff (Republican) - Write-in
* Stephanie DeVault (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Tyran J. "Ty" DeVault (Republican) - Write-in
* Thomas D. Dicus (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Ballot name issues
* Chris S. Dillingham (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Erma C. Doggett (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Gale J. Doggett (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Donald S. Dorsey (Republican) - Write-in
* Allison K. Drake (Republican) - Write-in
* James P. Duffield II (Republican) - Write-in
* Michael J. "Mike" Dunton (Republican) - Write-in
* Erica L. Dvorak (Republican) - Write-in
* Linda Eason (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Paulette K. Egger (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Roger S. Egger (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Christopher G. Erickson (Republican) - Write-in
* Joe P. Erickson (Republican) - Write-in
* Gregory T. "Gerkie" Erkins (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Randy Estes (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Daniel Ezell (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Shannon R. Fechtner (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Robert A. Flynn (Republican) - Write-in
* David Martin Fogler (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Ballot name issues
* Merle R. Frank (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Eric L. Franklin (Republican) - Write-in
* John E. Francis (Libertarian) - Write-in
* James A. Garhart (Alaskan Independence) - Write-in
* David S. George (Republican) - Write-in
* Ted Gianoutsos (Non-Affiliated) Nominating Petition Candidate
PO Box 143115
Anchorage, AK 99514
Phone: (907) 272-1648
e-mail: newanwrted@gmail.com
Candidate's web site: http://www.tedandfran.com
* Glenn J. Gillette (Republican) - Write-in
* Steve Grand (Republican) - Write-in
* George H. Greene (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - incomplete paperwork
* Bob Griffin (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Dona L. Grossman (Libertarian) - Write-in
* Marty Grossman (Republican) - Write-in
* Cheryl B. Haakenson (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Fredrick "David" Haase (Libertarian)
200 W 34th Avenue #587
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 279-8768
e-mail: DavidforAlaska@Gmail.com
Candidate's web site: http://www.DavidforAlaska.com
* Jay M. Hamacher (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Lee Hamerski (Republican) - Write-in
* Fred Handy (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Devone Hasara (Republican) - Write-in
* Dominic L. Hasara (Republican) - Write-in
* Carl L. Hardin (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Janet Henry (Republican) - Write-in
* Katherine Hicks (Republican) - Write-in
* Sid Hill (Democrat) - Write-in
PO Box 4556
Palmer, AK 99645
* Paul Hilling (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Ballot name issues
* Kevin E. Hite (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Julie Holbrook (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Joshua Holland (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Kristin Holland (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Carl L. Holman (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Nan T. Hooper (Libertarian) - Write-in
* Darrell Horton (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Karen K. Horton (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Alan D. Humphries (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Derrick R. Hunziker (Republican) - Write-in
* Jimmie D. Janeway Jr. (Republican) - Write-in
* David A. Jenkins (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Cindy Johnson (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Grover Johnson (Republican) - Write-in
* Richard Johnson (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Petter M. "Pete" Johnson (Republican) - Write-in
* Sandra L. "Sandy" Johnson (Republican) - Write-in
* Maggie S. Joyner (Republican) - Write-in
* Veronica L. Keanaaina (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Eric C. Kelly (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Steve Kelly (Republican) - Write-in
* Holly M. Kjostad (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Bill Klemme (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Richard T. "Ric" Koller (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* John Kuklis (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Lisa M. Lackey (Republican) - Write-in
* Marjorie L. Landis-Beck (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Lynette A. Largent (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Brian G. Leon (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Kevin S. Luce (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Tom M (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* David D. March (Republican) - Write-in
* Deanna M. March (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Lyn Marcum (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Marsha Markstrom (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Ballot name issues
* Paul Markstrom (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Edward D. Martin, Jr. (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Martha S. Mayer (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Scott T. McAdams (Democrat)
PO Box 200569
Anchorage, AK 99520
Phone: (907) 297-2575
e-mail: info@scottmcadams.org
Candidate's web site: http://www.scottmcadams.org
* Mark McArthur (Republican) - Write-in
* Richard McGahan (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Caroline C. McMullins (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Maureen M. "Mo" Meeks (Republican) - Write-in
* William M. Merrill (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Matt Michetti (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Jasmine A. Miles (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Joe Miller (Republican)
PO Box 72838
Fairbanks, AK 99707
Phone: (907) 452-8559
e-mail: info@joemiller.us
Candidate's web site: http://www.joemiller.us
* Chimene Mills (Republican) - Write-in
* Stephen "Steve" Moore (Republican) - Write-in
* Taylor Moore (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - did not meet age requirements
* Tom R. Moore (Republican) - Write-in
* Joe S. "Steve" Morawitz (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Marvin Roger Moser (Republican) - Write-in
* Lisa Murkowski (Republican) - Write-in
PO Box 100847
Anchorage, AK 99501
Candidate's web site: http://www.lisamurkowski.com/
* Cliff Murray (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* William J. Nemec (Non-Affiliated) "Denied - Signatures not filed by the 8/24/10 deadline as required by AS 15.25.150"
* William A. Nilsson (Republican) - Write-in
* Roger L. Pearson (Republican) - Write-in
* Sam R. Pepper (Republican) - Write-in
* Karen Perry (Republican) - Write-in
* Roderic Perry (Republican) - Write-in
* Daniel C. Piaskowski (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Melissa A. "Lissa" Pike (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - did not meet age requirement
* Bradley T. Porter (Republican) - Write-in
* Gregory G. Purvis (Republican) - Write-in
* Janice A. "Jan" Quinn (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Eileen M. Ransom (Democrat) - Write-in
* Laura L. "Lisabeth" Raschal (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Cullen L. Reece (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Carl Remley (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Patrina Remley (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Chad E. Renfro (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Irene M. Repper (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Richard S. Repper Jr. (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Anthony "Tony" Rice (Republican) - Write-in
* Mark Richardson (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* David R. Roberts (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Lance Roberts (Republican) - Write-in
* Lloyd B. Rudd (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - Ballot name issues
* Ben F. Sawyer (Republican) - Write-in
* Howard J. "Jim" Shanks (Democrat) - Write-in
* William H. Smith (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* John H. Smart (Republican) - Write-in - Denied - incomplete paperwork
* Scott Smith (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - did not meet age requirements
* Chad Solberg (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Tim Sovde (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Norman Starkey (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Thompson Steve (Republican) - Write-in
* Richard A. "Rick" Stillie Jr. (Republican) - Write-in
* Glenn E. Swan (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Nicola J. "Nicki" Taysom (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Trevor Tew (Republican) - Write-in
* James Thatch (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Pamela S. Thatch (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Kim A. Thibodeaux (Republican) - Write-in
* Georgia Lee Tolbert (Republican) - write-in
* Marty VanDiest (Republican) - Write-in
* Garret Y. VanEck (Republican) - Write-in
* Linda Vrem (Republican) - Write-in
* Tracy Vrem (Republican) - Write-in
* Kelly S. Walters (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Willard H. "Bill" Wamsganz Sr. (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Jerry Ward (Republican) - Write-in
* Robert D. Warte (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in - Denied - Received too late
* Ryan L. Waters (Republican) - Write-in
* Rene Weber (Republican) - Write-in
* Timothy M. Weidensee (Republican) - Write-in
* Jed Whittaker (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Martin Williams (Non-Affiliated) - Write-in
* Sandra E. "Sandi" Williams (Alaskan Independence) - Write-in
* Kimberly T. Wilson (Republican) - Write-in
* Jeffrey S. Wood (Republican) - Write-in
* James M. Woosley (Republican) - Write-in
* Kathy Jo Zurek (Republican) - Write-in
It must be noted here that the write-in with the name similar to Lisa M. Lacky has considerable $$ behind her, has ten times the mailers and five times the print ads and TV ads as any other candidate. She has canvassers out on the streets with young sweet corporate-hired natives. "I didn't even know she had to be a write-in because she lost the primary," the one knocking on my door said. And has robo calls going out from "Democrats" spewing lies.
And despite all this, Scott McAdams keeps his cool while catching fire among Alaskans. I couldn't be prouder to be supporting Scott McAdams and look forward to voting out every establishment Republican in Alaska in three days.