Board action on primary votes necessary

Dear Editor,

Our supervisors were far from "looking for trouble," as stated in Mr. Miller's letter [Apr. 2], when they voted on a resolution asking the State Board of Elections to count the 299 votes written on plain paper when the official ballots ran out on Primary Day. For Mr. Miller to just say that he believes "we all think everyone's vote should be counted" does not go very far to help those citizens who were denied the basic tenet of our democracy. While counting the votes only addresses part of the many problems that occurred (how many citizens could not get the plain paper ballots?), the resolution [Midlothian Supervisor Dan] Gecker put forward was a strong and courageous stand on behalf of the citizens he represents. Better representation of we citizens and less "good old boy" chumminess between government offices is one of the reasons this new board is in place.

As one of the many, many citizens who contacted my elected representatives with concerns about the voting problems that occurred on Primary Day, I am thankful that the board of supervisors took the time to listen to our concerns, gather information and take action on behalf of all the citizens of Chesterfield (even while working diligently to improve the transportation mess and bloated budget left us by the previous board).

Wendy Austin

Midlothian