Stung by the sharp public criticism which followed Tuesday's general election, Supervisor of Elections John Abramson, Jr. said this week he has already made several recommendations to the Board of Elections to revamp procedures that govern elections in the territory.
Included among them is reconfiguring the Joseph Gomez Elementary School polling place where some 9,900 persons now vote. Long lines and sometimes faulty voting machines on Tuesday frustrated voters to the point where they left and never returned to cast ballots.
The problems, mainly at the Gomez polling place, caused the Board of Elections to extend voting hours across the district by three hours. Appearing on public television's "Face to Face" program Wednesday night, Abramson provided an overview of the recommendations, some of which have been implemented.
"We suggested having residents of Frydendal and Mariendahl vote at the Bertha C. Boshculte Middle School, voters at Jefferson Annex cast ballots at CAHS cafeteria, residents of Wintberg and Mandahl should vote at Peace Corps School," Abramson said. He further noted that the Marcelli School in Anna's Fancy be consolidated with the Frenchtown kindergarten.
"Also, I have suggested that all electors of Anna's Retreat proper vote at the Anna's Retreat Community Center," he said.
But he noted that his role ends when recommendations are made as he is an employee of the Board of Elections, which determines and sets policy for the election system in the Virgin Islands. "As I have been told in the past, no decision rests with John Abramson," he said. "He is simply a hired hand to execute the will of the board."
He added that these recommendations were submitted earlier in the year, and two have been implemented: the consolidation of Jefferson Annex and Marcelli school. "I just don't want anyone to think that I am here sitting on my hands doing nothing," he said.
Unsuccessful senatorial candidate Vinnie Mohanani said Thursday he was truly disappointed by the disorganization within the election system. "To allow voters to walk away without voting because of hot sun and long lines is totally unacceptable," he said.
