Election integrity

 

Honest fair elections do not happen by accident. They are the product of a great deal of planning and hard work by people committed to their task.

At their Tuesday, December 6 meeting, Goochland Supervisors honored Robin R. Lind as he retires on December 31 after 20 years of service on the Goochland Electoral Board. Lind served in the roles of Chair, Vice Chair, and secretary of that body during his tenure. He also served as president of the Virginia Electoral Board where he is still an active voice.

Robin Lind 2019 investiture of elected Goochland Officials

Addressing the supervisors, Lind said “I appreciate very much this recognition from members of this board, all but one of whom holds his or her office on the basis of my signature certifying your election over the past 20 years on 34 separate election days, conduction 186 individual elections with separate certification of each election.

“My signature has been my promise to go to prison if those results were not accurate and the election was not free, fair, and transparent. I have been true to my oath. I know not what others may do, but I can tell you that in Goochland County you can rest assured that you are the legitimate representatives of your districts duly elected by the voters of the county.”

Lind said he was humbled and grateful for the recognition. He said that others have given longer service to the electoral board that he. Quoting Isaac Newton, Lind said ‘” If I have seen further than others it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.”

He recognized some of those by name including former registrar Frances Ragland and Tony Holcomb who were in office when Lind began his service on the Electoral Board. He accepted the recognition on behalf of the entire Electoral Board, the General Registrar Ryan Mulligan, Deputy Registrars Shannon Grayson and Leanne White and all of the officers of election.

Lind went on to recognize precinct chiefs, Shirley Christian and Robin Bryce in District 1; Keith Flannagan and Shauna Sprouse in District 2; Yvette McDermott Thomas and Larry Finnegan in District 3; Caleb Fisher and Pat Dowling in District 4; Ursel Huber and Daniel Thompson in District 5, and former District 4 Supervisor the late Don Sharpe wo was an officer of election and assistant chief of the Shallow Well precinct before running for office.

“These citizen patriots come from all walks of life, united by their love of country, love of our Constitution, and love of civic service. It has been my immense pleasure to be associated with these citizens of Goochland.”

Lind contended that the consistently high voter turnout in Goochland is the result of the hard work and integrity of all involved in the electoral process.

Later in the meeting, Mulligan reported that of 20,809 active voters in the county, 13,763 cast ballots in the November election, which is a 66 percent turnout rate. Of those 4,330 were early in person votes and 931 voted by mail.