LIBERADIO(!)

Republicans in Tennessee have had absolute control of the state for about a half a year and not only can’t they govern, but they’re trying to hide the processes that run our election behind closed doors.

First, they introduce laws that would make it easier to disenfranchise voters (luckily they were beaten back) while attempting to repeal the paper ballot bill. Then, they systematically begin replacing county election coordinators with their own – and receiving a lot of push back in some cases.

There’s a trickle down attitude emanating from the Secretary of State’s office that’s passing through the State Election Coordinator’s office and reaching the county election coordinator’s office. What else could explain the recent news uncovered by the Rutherford County Democratic Party that it’s new Republican Election Coordinator wants to hold closed door meetings?

On Monday, June 22, Republican Election Commission Chairman Tom Walker, even after being told it was illegal, attempted to violate state Sunshine Laws by locking out the public from this month’s meeting of the Election Commission. He even called police to escort our local press from the premises. Michelle Willard of the Murfreesboro Post and Doug Davis of the Daily News Journal were told to leave but refused, at which point Republican Chairman Tom Walker called Murfreesboro police.

The original report, filed by Michelle Willard of The Murfreesboro Post, tells the story:

Walker asked everyone, except commission members, to leave the Election Commission’s office on the Square. The Daily News Journal’s Doug Davis and Post Staff Writer Michelle Willard remained and confronted Walker on his request.

Walker was informed it is against state law to close a public meeting. He was then offered a copy of the Sunshine Law (T.C.A. 8-44-101), which he declined, claiming he does not care what the law is and is just trying to protect the applicants by closing the meeting.

State law says, “the formation of public policy and decisions is public business and shall not be conducted in secret.”

“We’ve got some crazy laws in this country,” Republican Commissioner Doris Jones said.

Walker was indignant in defense of his point, saying he didn’t think it was a violation of state laws to conduct public meetings in private. He said his concern was not protecting the rights of voters, but the privacy of the job applicants.

Walker then asked Davis and Willard to leave again. When they refused, he appeared to call the Murfreesboro Police Department (who never showed).

Post Publisher Mike Pirtle and DNJ Editor Jimmy Hart arrived on the scene with Pirtle informing Walker of the law and asking him to call county attorney Jim Cope for an opinion.

Walker pulled out his cell phone and made a call, while walking to the back of the building.

“If we can’t get this resolved tonight, then the meeting is adjourned,” he said.

He emerged several minutes later and said, “Meeting adjourned,” and stormed out the door without a backward glance.

Is it crazy for taxpayers to want to know what’s happening in the government they pay to hold elections? Come November 2010, I guess it’ll also be “crazy” for the citizens of Rutherford County to want to monitor their paper ballot elections. Sheesh.

The Rutherford Dems are asking all the right questions, “What are Republicans attempting to do? Why are they knowingly violating state law? With Sen. Bill Ketron sponsoring bills to gut the State Ethics Commission and repeal the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act, what are they plotting to do behind closed doors?”

Election Commission meetings should be attended by citizens or bad, bad things could happen – like allocating too few voting machines or polling places in certain parts of the community.

UPDATE: More from The Daily News Journal

UPDATE 2: Rutherford County Democratic Party Chair calls for the resignation of Election Commissioners Tom Walker and Doris Jones: “Americans value free and fair elections. Rutherford County citizens deserve adults on the Election Commission who know and obey the rule of law. Otherwise, our trust in the democratic process is undermined. We don’t need people in control of our election process who blatantly express their disregard for state law,” said RCDP Chair Jonathon Fagan.”