As I write this the St. Croix Board of Elections would be meeting in an emergency session. Whatever the outcome, there are few things that I, as State Chair of The Democratic Party, want to put before the public.
First of all, the affidavit questioning the legality of Alden Alicia Pickering/Alicia Chucky Hansen’s registration and therefore her ability to be legally eligible to run in the upcoming election came about after a more informal inquiry was made and the supervisor insisted that a formal affidavit be filed. The affidavit was filed by Lauretta Petersen on her own behalf and the St. Croix District Committee. She is a qualified elector as is required by the VI Code 101(a).
Secondly, neither Lauretta Petersen or I bear any personal malice towards Senator Hansen, who I have known since the early eighties. Neither was this action taken to “protect” of our Democratic senators as has been widely alleged. Each has served at least one legislative term and we support them, and expect them to be judged, based on their own records and merit.
The question was only raised because the filing for a change of name raised questions in the public that needed to be answered so that there would be no question later – as in 2012 and 2014 – on the integrity of the election.
The question was asked and the affidavit later filed with no predicated outcome. She could have been found eligible just as likely as she could be found not to be. In fact the district’s executive committee was divided on what the possible outcome might be.
The question was asked and the affidavit later filed with no predicated outcome. She could have been found eligible just as likely as she could be found not to be. In fact the District’s executive committee was divided on what the possible outcome might be.
One day after the request the A.G. opined that the petition was “defective” – an opinion with which I disagree – ignoring the deeper and more pertinent question asked by Lauretta Petersen and the St. Croix District Committee of the Democratic Party as well as by the supervisor, which is the heart of the matter: is the person known as Alicia Chucky Hansen legally registered to vote in the U.S. Virgin Islands and therefore legally qualified to be on the ballot in the November election?
That is the question that needs to be answered. The Board should ask the question it voted to be asked and, in the interest of the public good, the Attorney General needs to answer it.
Submitted on Thursday by:
Donna M. Christensen, former delegate to Congress
Tags: donna m christensen
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