EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this article did not note that a third unaffiliated candidate, Ronald Verbos, has also filed to run for Commissioner President in St. Mary’s County.
LEONARDTOWN, Md. — On October 4, State Senator Jack Bailey[R] sent a letter to election officials questioning the validity of a candidate seeking the seat of Commissioner President in St. Mary’s County, and how the State Board of Elections may have failed to vet the candidate before certifying the ballots.
The candidate in question has been identified as Natalie Weech, who won the Democratic nod in an unopposed July Primary Election. Weech is slated to run against incumbent Commissioner President Randy Guy, a Republican seeking his third term on the board.
On September 27, Weech posted on social media about a County Code she discovered that requires candidates for Commissioner President to be a resident of the county for a minimum of five years.
Weech acknowledged that she has only been a county resident for three years, but said she was permitted to continue her campaign.
“Should I win, there is a possibility that a challenge could be made,” she said in a statement. “If a challenge is sustained, I will have to resign.”
Weech confirmed that she notified the election officials in the county once she learned about the rule, and said she was told that because the ballot was already certified, she would be allowed to continue her campaign.
This certification has raised questions from several Republicans in the county, including Bailey.
“I am very concerned as to how an ineligible candidate was allowed to file and appear on certified ballots for both the primary and general elections without verification of the qualifications for the office,” Bailey said in his letter to the State Board of Elections. “What is the process by which the St. Mary’s County Board of Elections and then the State Board of Elections must follow to ensure that candidates are eligible for the offices for which they have filed? Whose responsibility is it to ensure that our laws setting forth residency requirements, or any other requirements for elected offices are followed?”
Read the full letter from Sen. Bailey to State Board of Elections Administrator Linda Lamone below:
Dear Administrator Lamone:
I am writing regarding a serious issue that is currently affecting the St. Mary’s County general election for Commissioner President. It is my understanding that one of the candidates on the General Election ballot for Commissioner President does not meet the residency requirements set out in law to hold that office.
The candidate is aware of the error and has publicly acknowledged it, but is not planning to withdraw from the election. I have a number of questions regarding this matter to ensure that our residents know how this error occurred and the impact it will have on the election for St. Mary’s County Commissioner President.
I am very concerned as to how an ineligible candidate was allowed to file and appear on certified ballots for both the primary and general elections without verification of the qualifications for the office. What is the process by which the St. Mary’s County Board of Elections and then the State Board of Elections must follow to ensure that candidates are eligible for the offices for which they have filed? Whose responsibility is it to ensure that our laws setting forth residency requirements, or any other requirements for elected offices are followed?
Additionally, we now have an ineligible candidate appearing on the ballot, which is completely circumventing election laws. This will have an impact on the election for St. Mary’s County Commissioner President. Both the St. Mary’s County Board of Elections and the State Board of Elections have failed to ensure the integrity of our election for St. Mary’s County Commissioner President.
Since these two entities failed to properly certify this candidacy, our citizens will not have the constitutional right to vote and select the Commissioner President. Instead, it may be left to the Local Government Articles, appointments, and potential lawsuits to select a Commissioner President rather than relying on the vote of the citizens.
This error in certification has the potential to set a terrible precedent to alter our election process. Clearly, our current certification process is flawed since this error occurred in both the primary and general elections.
Why should any potential candidate follow the established qualifications for office, if these requirements are just going to be ignored by the Board of Elections and allow candidates to be placed on the ballot?
It is unfair to every citizen to “wait and see” what the election results may be, this inaction is essentially tampering with the election by allowing an ineligible candidate to remain on the ballot.
It is critical that the residents of St. Mary’s County and Maryland understand how this issue occurred and trust that our State’s election laws are followed and enforced fairly and appropriately.
Thank you for your prompt attention to address this important matter.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
That is all well and good, but how much money is it costing us to set up the voting polls and material for someone who may not be eligable?
The election is going to be held regardless. What’s it cost to add a line to a ballot? It would cost WAY more to have the ballots reprinted to correct this along with all the large print ballots that are in the entrance to polling places. Mistakes are made, no one is perfect. Your call, go as is and later challenge the result or reprint everything.
Isn’t this a legal matter. When I sought Senator Bailey’s help he advised me it was an ethical violation for him to get involved in any legal matter or matter that may have potential for court proceedings. Funny how the rules change I guess.
Why is it always Democrats?
Happens with both.
I’m more concerned by the fact that elections in this county have often had only 1 person running unopposed. Having no alternative choices is unfair.
You do have a second option….Ron Verbos is a write-in candidate. He will be at the Women League of Voters Forum on Oct. 12th. Unfortunately, aa write-in doesn’t get the attention as “party candidate.”
You do have a second choice. Ronald E. Verbos is a write-in candidate. He just doesn’t get the attention as the party candidates do.
This debacle is hilarious, especially since the area does not truly have a “litmus test” for qualifications of elected office. Have we forgotten the incumbent Commissioner voted into office from his county cell? Or the Treasurer re-elected after losing a million of taxpayers dollars? She sounds honest & forthright. More importantly, she obviously wants to be of service. AND, why is St Mary’s so stringent on residency, when you can run for Maryland Senate or House Offices requiring a 1 YEAR Residency!
Indeed. Honest and forthright is important, and in this day and age long-term residency seems less important.
She sounds honest & forthright. Well that makes it OK I guess. Most politicians are just good at bs, probably should do a little more research. And why is it that whenever stuff like this happens, we attack the rules instead of the breakdown that allowed it to happen? Seems legit.
What is ridiculous is The Election Board does not certify every candidate whether they are eligible or not. These king of situations are what causes mistrust about elections. Sounds little hanky to me. Should be basic questions when they file for candidacy upfront and this can be avoided.
how could this happen and she should withdraw now this is not fair to the citizens of St Mary’s County
If country residents don’t like the residency requirements, then change them after the election. Rules are meant to be followed, not just when they are convenient.