PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Luzerne County Elections Board asks DA to prosecute protestor
by Tim Grier Friday, Nov. 25, 2005 at 9:17 AM
tim_grier@hotmail.com

The County Election Board, consisting of the 3 County Commissioners, has voted to ask the DA to press charges against me for spending 30 minutes in the voting booth two weeks ago. Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition submitted the Voters Choice Act to the legislature last month.

By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES jandes@leader.net

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/13248547.htm

Luzerne County election officials agreed Wednesday to ask the district attorney to file a misdemeanor charge against a Wilkes-Barre man who stayed in an election voting booth for 30 minutes as a protest on Nov. 8.
The county Election Board, which consists of the three county commissioners, voted unanimously Wednesday to pursue Election Code violation charges against Tim Grier for allegedly willfully disobeying orders of election officials.
A conviction would carry a penalty of up to $500 and a year in prison, said county Election Bureau Director Len Piazza.
District Attorney David Lupas will review the request when he receives it, said office spokeswoman Carol Crane.
Grier had said it was necessary to spend 30 minutes behind the voting booth curtains to protest what he views as an unfair electoral process that makes it too difficult for independent and third-party candidates to get on the ballot.
Piazza said Wednesday that he contacted Grier by cell phone inside the booth after Grier had already been in the booth for 20 minutes and there were 15 people waiting in line to vote.
Piazza told Grier that state law says voters, are, in general, allowed three minutes in the booth.
Piazza said he gave Grier another five minutes and told him he must exit to avoid removal by sheriff deputies. Piazza said Grier still refused. It wasn’t until sheriff deputies were on their way that he left, county officials said.
Grier has disputed that he was ordered to leave and filed a handwritten complaint with the county, saying he exited the booth “of my own will, without having voted, as I was uncomfortable being pressured to vote by someone who was on the ballot.”
He was referring to constable Walter Griffith, who was running unopposed for judge of election. Piazza said that argument was invalid because Griffith was not seeking a municipal post such as mayor or council.
Piazza said he doesn’t see anything in Grier’s complaint that merits further action or investigation, and the board agreed.
Griffith praised the board Wednesday for pursuing the charges, saying Grier’s actions could embolden future protestors if the board doesn’t follow through with disciplinary action.
Grier could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

http://www.PaBallotAccess.org

www.PaBallotAccess.org

I know it's swiped from another source
by tim grier Saturday, Nov. 26, 2005 at 3:24 PM
tim_grier@hotmail.com

I know this is a reprint of big media's version of the story, but I am waiting (on the advice of an attorney) to see what big brother is going to do... there are some questions as to whether that constable was outta line trying to detain me. thanks/peace t.g.

They never prosecuted
by t.g. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006 at 7:32 PM
a511slick511a@hotmail.com

They never prosecuted. They couldn't. It would have just drawn more attention to a peaceful protest and a broken system.

Something to consider in the future...

peace.

www.unamericanluzernecounty.wordpress.com

whatever
by Me Sunday, Dec. 09, 2007 at 7:15 AM

seriously - what was he trying to prove? if anything he was preventing others from having their right to vote.