On Sept. 3 the day the early voting commenced, I was notified that certain members of the ‘Town Hall Alliance’ were standing outside the polling place at the governmental center in Leonardtown handing out what appeared to be sample ballots listing check marks by all members of the alliance. I was shocked when I noted that a checkmark was beside my name and another candidate who are not members of the ‘Town Hall Alliance.’
I was never asked and I never granted permission to have my name added to the ‘bogus’ ballot. After talking to the other candidate, it is my understanding that he likewise did not grant permission to have his name placed on the so-called sample ballot.
It is my hope that it will be made clear that I do not belong to the Town Hall Alliance; and I feel that it is completely fraudulent to hand out a ballot suggesting that I am supporting such a slate of candidates. Like all citizens, my support for any particular candidate will be expressed in the voting booth, not on a sample ballot being handed out in an attempt to deceive the public. This fraudulent ballot was completely unfair to all other candidates who have expended great effort to get their message across to the voting public.
Whereas I, like most citizens feel that fiscally conservative candidates, smaller government, less handouts, and lower taxes may well be the way to go this year, fraudulent voting ballots are not the kind of change we need.
For a slate of candidates, or any candidate, to refuse to show up for debates, and then put out a ‘bogus’ sample ballot is belief. I remain
Very truly yours
Richard D. Fritz