Botched ballots silenced voters

Last week’s withdrawal by Michael Shaw from his District 102 race against Gary Moore was seen by many as a gentlemanly move.

Many have lauded the Democrat for his reasons for exiting the race, namely to save the time and money associated with holding what would have been the next step: a special election.

But while the move can certainly be viewed as one made by a humble politician, it’s also worth noting and remembering that there were about 20 people in Standish who went to the polls on Election Day to cast a ballot that ultimately didn’t count.

Why didn’t those votes matter? According to state election officials, a clerk or clerks at the polls gave out the wrong ballots. Somehow, about 20 voters in District 102 were given District 103 ballots. They mistakenly voted for other District 103 representatives, which, thankfully, didn’t affect the outcome of that race.

While Shaw’s withdrawal was admirable on one level, it was a mistake on another. If there’s anything to fight for, be patient for and to spend taxpayer’s money on in this country, it’s making sure everyone gets a chance to vote. The nearly two-month-long investigation into Standish’s election resulted in the discovery that 20 voters were given the wrong ballots. Twenty people is a lot of people. Consider the number of war veterans represented by those 20 individuals? Imagine the effort it took those 20 people to haul themselves to the polls Nov. 7, especially if they were elderly.

In an age where voter apathy threatens the foundation of our system of government, it’s important that we encourage each and every person to participate. Shaw’s decision not to stay and fight, or demand a new election where everyone votes, sends a disheartening message to the electorate.

Super-SADs to the rescue

If conservatives in Maine aren’t cheering aloud the news of school consolidation, then clearly nothing will make them happy.

In one fell swoop this week, Baldacci both impressed his own party faithful with a bold initiative and stunned the opposing party, which has based recent campaigns almost solely on criticizing Democrats’ unwillingness to propose real tax reductions.

Gov. John Baldacci and Commissioner of Education Susan Gendron have upended the education world in Maine this week by proposing a drastic cut in the number of school districts. This will affect school boards, which would become advisory in nature, as well as superintendents, many of whom would likely lose their jobs. Most importantly, it will save taxpayers’ millions.

We in the Lakes Region are accustomed to regional school districts. School Administrative District 6 is the largest school administrative district (in terms of student population and bus fleet) in the state. Encompassing five towns in two counties, Bonny Eagle is a testament to the idea of school consolidation. School Administrative District 61 also spreads its net wide to include smaller towns such as Naples, Casco, Bridgton and Sebago. These districts have fared well with the regional model, and we’re sure each district in the state will fare just as well under Baldacci’s plan to create 26 regional districts that some are calling “super-SADs.”

The proposal will save real taxpayer money – $41 million in the first year alone. Meaningful tax reform is what conservatives have requested; it is what Baldacci has now delivered. Now it’s time for legislators to back up their campaign promises and enact the governor’s proposal.

-John Balentine, editor