Effort to End Voter Disenfranchisement Marches Forward
(December 15, 2009) A preliminary discussion on moving LISD elections to the Heritage Lakes Clubhouse was held by the school board at their December meeting where they were greeted by a standing room only crowd, the majority of which were on hand in support of the single polling place request. A vote should be forthcoming.
During the Open Forum session of the meeting several speakers from Frisco stood to make the “single polling place” case and voice their support including Heritage Lakes HOA members Dudley Wilson and Max Dodge, former member, David Arbuckle, The Lakes on Legacy resident, Joe Cotton, and Frisco City Councilman, Patrick Fallon.
Although there in an unofficial capacity, Mr. Fallon established a common ground with the members of the board as volunteer elected official, and submitted to them that they shared a “sacred obligation” to ensure their shared constituents had the most convenient access to exercise their right to vote. “These citizens are being disenfranchised by a system that forces them to vote in multiple locations in same election cycle. We have an opportunity to solve this injustice on a local level. Selecting Heritage Lakes as a polling station for the LISD election would make it much easier for literally thousands of our constituents to have their voices heard” said Fallon.
During the board’s discussion on the matter, the only significant concern, of just a few raised, was regarding access to our gated community. Mr. Wilson subsequently reminded the district every accommodation would be made and election workers would have unfettered, 24/7 access, if need be.
All school board elections are administered by the secretary for the board and superintendent, Cherry Carter, who raised the access concern, then followed with this statement: “I do agree based on the numbers, there were a little over 700 voters in the Frisco area this past year, in May. They do, I think, need a site now”. She urged the board to consider the matter closely. To help them along in that process we need every resident to personally contact each LISD Trustee by e-mail and request they vote to establish Heritage Lakes as a single polling place for all future school board elections. Visit the district website at www.lisd.net for quick and convenient access to all Board of Trustee e-mail addresses.
To view the school board’s discussion as well as the comments of the various speakers on the “single polling place” issue visit www.vimeo.com/8195449.
Next to consider the matter will be the Frisco City Council at their first 2010 meeting on Monday, January 5 at 5:30PM. Citizen input begins at approximately 7:30PM. It is imperative we have the same show of support so please make plans to attend and help end the voter disenfranchisement we all suffer. As soon as the agenda is finalized, we will be send an email reminder to our database.
THANK YOU!
Many of our elected officials have contacted LISD, Denton County, and the City of Frisco on our behalf. Pat Fallon and James DiPiazza (Justice of the Peace) were on hand at the LISD Board meeting. Hugh Coleman (Denton County Commissioner), made several calls and has worked to help us with the county, and, special recognition goes to US Congressman Michael Burgess, State Senator Jane Nelson and State Representative Burt Solomons for their offices' support of our initiative. Especially to Kathy Carrington, Rep Solomons' staff, Joan Self, Congressman Burgess' staff , and Brooke Hambrick in Sen Nelson’s office in helping us keep this issue top of mind to Denton County officials.
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