By Robert Fischer – Republican Candidate for Alderman
Frederick County COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS may present potential problems with vote counting observations for Frederick City Elections this year and possibly next.
Ms. Green, President of Frederick County Elections Board has informed me that “in person” counting observations will not be allowed in County buildings due to COVID-19 restrictions put in place by Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner. Ms. Green also said, “There is nothing that (she) can do about it.”
This means that if you haven’t been invited to observe the count in person, you will not be allowed inside a County building and are relegated to view the count on the internet.
The City of Frederick counts its votes at 340a Montevue Ave, which is a County facility. Yet, on Monday night the team of the Frederick County Redistricting Commission met at Winchester Hall. Also a County facility.
Our Aldermanic Candidates, Michelle Shay and myself are fully vaccinated and can wear a mask to observe, or have our appointed representatives present “in person,” as a Constitutional Right.
We asked the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to request an exemption for us from the county government to be “invited” to observe the count (which is our constitutional and legal right) or move the counting to a city building.
As of this post, 36 hours later. We have had no response whatsoever from Mayor O’Connor or Jan Gardner. I am sure that this is an oversight, which will be readily resolved.
At any rate, we as voters must be vigilant to make sure our rights are not stripped away due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Frederick County COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS may present potential problems with vote counting observations for Frederick City Elections this year and possibly next.
Ms. Green, President of Frederick County Elections Board has informed me that “in person” counting observations will not be allowed in County buildings due to COVID-19 restrictions put in place by Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner. Ms. Green also said, “There is nothing that (she) can do about it.”
This means that if you haven’t been invited to observe the count in person, you will not be allowed inside a County building and are relegated to view the count on the internet.
The City of Frederick counts its votes at 340a Montevue Ave, which is a County facility. Yet, on Monday night the team of the Frederick County Redistricting Commission met at Winchester Hall. Also a County facility.
Our Aldermanic Candidates, Michelle Shay and myself are fully vaccinated and can wear a mask to observe, or have our appointed representatives present “in person,” as a Constitutional Right.
We asked the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to request an exemption for us from the county government to be “invited” to observe the count (which is our constitutional and legal right) or move the counting to a city building.
As of this post, 36 hours later. We have had no response whatsoever from Mayor O’Connor or Jan Gardner. I am sure that this is an oversight, which will be readily resolved.
At any rate, we as voters must be vigilant to make sure our rights are not stripped away due to COVID-19 restrictions.
