By Anna Marie Gott
The definition of election rigging is “the act of dishonestly organizing an election to get a particular result.” In a nutshell, it is a basic interference with the election process which starts with endorsements. In my opinion, our local Democratic organizations rigged the endorsement process by moving up the date that Democratic Party endorses candidates up. They did this to “clear the field of prospective rivals”, which is acknowledged by the leaders of the local Democratic organizations.
In 2011, as an example, endorsements were made in May. However, this year endorsements were made in MARCH. This is a full 3 months earlier than in years past.
Pushing up Democratic Party endorsements when there are few candidates, or a single candidate, in the race isn’t Democratic. It just ensures that early deciders have a leg up. It doesn’t mean that these individuals are the best candidate or that they have broad appeal, as we have seen in this years election.
Cathy Murillo benefited from this rigged Democratic Party endorsement system and voters were disenfranchised as a result of it. A Member of the Democratic Party commented on the early endorsement of Murillo:
“For the DCC to endorse candidates this early in the process is irresponsible and a middle finger to the democratic process. The message is that the choices made are self serving to the party without regard to qualification and vision of those pending declaration of intent to run. Go ahead and follow the same path that screwed us on the big one and maybe the results will be different this time.”
This rigged endorsement process has caused fissures in the local Democratic Party as many Democratic leaders refused to coalesces around Murillo and instead endorsed other Mayoral Candidates feeling they were better candidates for Mayor. Others voiced their support in the 11th hour. If Murillo was even partially acceptable Democratic leaders would likely have fell in line, but they didn’t. That, in and of itself, is telling and it shows that Murillo is out of step with many Democrats.
The op ed I wrote last week, titled Don’t be Bullied, is based upon facts that are easily verified surrounding when endorsements occurred and when candidates announced. Murillo’s first big endorsement was in March and the other Democratic candidates were not in the running yet, as Bendy White and Hal Conklin did not announce their candidacies until May and July. This was like shooting fish in a barrel for Murillo and the only way she could have been endorsed.
As I said last week, the best course is to stay the course, and vote for the best candidate. Don’t vote for a divisive and ineffective Mayor out of fear of a Republican victory because you were bullied by a Democratic Party who rigged the endorsement process. Instead vote for a policy wonk, who can has unparalleled skilled at building consensus, has the experience needed to be Mayor, someone who knows the City inside and is independent from the political machinery which ran amok in the endorsement process this year.
There are two ways to get your ballot in the day of the Election. You can mail it or drop it off.
If you mail in your ballot be sure to get it in early or hand walk your ballot into a retail location from 5pm to 6pm.The Post Offices below are open to 6pm:
Election Day Drop Off Locations Open:
Tuesday, November 7, 2017: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
City of Santa Barbara, City Hall – Lobby
735 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Franklin Neighborhood Center – Multipurpose Room
1136 E. Montecito Street
Santa Barbara, 93103
Santa Barbara, 93103
Harding Elementary School, Room 1
1625 Robbins Street
Santa Barbara, 93101
Santa Barbara, 93101
First Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Room
21 East Constance Avenue
Santa Barbara, 93105
Santa Barbara, 93105
Past Articles
- November 6, 2017 – Rebuttal to Don’t Be Bullied
- November 3, 2017 – Don’t Be Bullied
Also Read
- Opinion: California’s Population is Stagnating as Immigration and Birth Rates Decline
- Opinion: The Necessity of Buffer Zones in Parenting and Policy
- Santa Barbara County District Attorney Reinforces Anti-DUI Message Following Sentencing of Katelyn Fultz
- Opinion: Santa Barbara’s $2 Million-a-Year Housing Bureaucracy
- Santa Barbara Educators Propose Changes to Improve Santa Barbara Unified Schools
If the other candidates had been so passionate to run, why didn’t they throw their hats in the ring at the beginning of the year? It makes me sick that because one candidate was smart enough to join the race early, the candidate is accused of “rigging” the election.
Seriously, deciding to run in July? C’mon…I respect all of the candidates, but that’s so late in the game!
A-1510095587 – yeah, because, ALL Republicans are 100% completely decent, honest, and truthful, and care about their fellow humans and are only taking Russian language lessons for fun…don’t make me laugh. Actually, I’d rather laugh than cry, which I’m doing plenty of with the insanity, cruelty, and dishonesty that is rampant in ALL politics these days.
Already voted for Cathy and these attacks on her have made me glad I did. A vote for White is a vote for Hotchkiss. Good luck if he gets in because Bendy and Hal split the vote. If so, the City Council meetings on cable could become a very interesting show. Think the cops and firefighters will be very happy with Frank in charge and against C?
To destroy this community.
Years ago I was secretary of the SBCounty Democratic Central Committee. I came to believe they weren’t much different from Republicans so I quit and joined the Green Party in protest.
Did we get a debate schedule for this election? All I was able to find were videos of politicians stating their positions without any challenge or discourse. Perhaps having debates would give each candidate a chance to present ideas and then DEBATE the validity of them so the public can choose. But instead we are not focused on issues and focused on the political dynamics. Not a surprise from the left. Seems like a good way to distract us from crime, parking, housing, and economic issues that effect every tax paying citizen. I have no idea why anyone is so outraged with a political party selecting a candidate. The idea is that a party elects a candidate based on the candidate’s ideas (through debate and discourse) and then they go on to participate in an open election. What you are describing is a one party election. That is not democracy.
Vote for Bendy White! It’s time to get off the fence and vote! We don’t want a repeat of 2016 and have voters opt out of voting, leaving us with an elected official we don’t want. Fill out the bubbles on your ballot, drop it off at the Post Office before 5pm OR walk in into City Hall!
I am voting Bendy. Hotchkiss killed me on our last home purchase because of his narrow minded zoning ordinance rule for home sales. I have watched this cities building department collapse under the pressure of the ADU and AUD permit needs while my neighbor has created a serious public safety issue and put the city in a compromised position. I wish we had a better candidate to present on the right but Bendy will have my homes vote and I hope he can get us on the correct track. The right left stuff really does not apply to local politics until you reach the extremism of Murrillo. The only way you get her there is with a lack of inter party debate and gerrymandering. We need debates.
This and Ms. Gott’s other comments demonstrate to decent people that she isn’t one of them.
We do understand what rigging means, and we understand that you’re lying about what it means.
SBPAUL is the extremist. Cathy Murillo is not one.
If you want Bendy to Win. Call and Email your friends NOW and get them to vote ASAP!
That doesn’t speak well of you, since they obviously are quite different in many significant ways (and enumerating ways in which they aren’t different isn’t relevant).
Well, no matter – apparently it worked and Murillo was elected.
Congrats Cathy Murillo! Woo hoo!
I’m in the green party also considering everything negative said about others who are different from some people around here that is the definition of a racist.