Jack’s Angle: Continuing the election debacle – John J. “Jack” Partridge

by John J. “Jack” Partridge, contributing writer, commentary

Two and a half hurrahs for the Board of Elections reversing itself and inaugurating an examination of the nomination signatures of Lieutenant Governor Matos for the first Congressional District race.

I have to say that while late, the Board has done the right thing. It is too bad it took too long to get there, creating confusion on mail ballots, probably, but it is still the right thing to do for the integrity of the election process. Unfortunately, the Board only said it will check the signatures on the nomination papers, but didn’t say how it was going to be done, or if questionable signatures identified in the process will be verified by calling or visiting the alleged signatory and asking the critical question as to whether or not he or she signed the nomination papers.

Without that verification it is impossible to know if this search is going to answer the questions that the voters have as to the nomination of our Lieutenant Governor for Congress. She should be seeking a thorough examination so that her good name can be rescued from this election debacle. It is too easy to rest on the prior affirmation by the board that she has sufficient valid signatures. The public does not necessarily believe that. She should be working hard to make sure that if her campaign is aware of any issues as to any signatures that are possibly questionable, those signatures should be brought to the attention of the Board of Elections – now – before the examination takes place. I believe the Matos campaign should make a thorough examination of its nomination papers for its own good, as well as the good of the electorate at large.

Thanks to the Board of Elections who finally recognized the public outcry on this issue. It is too bad the Board had to come to its resolution as to the examination only after public criticism. Instead of a closed door discussion on the issue to make its original decision to pass on an examination, it should have had a public meeting, not a closed executive session, so that the public would know what the considerations were in the original vote to pass on the examination.

Even now, it would also help to know exactly the elements of the proposed examination. Will examiners call or visit voters if the signatures or addresses look suspicious? I suppose the Board is relying on the Secretary of State or local boards of canvassers to check on the right address to make sure that the individual signatory lives in the right Congressional District, especially in Providence where there are two congressional districts?

Can we hope that this will be fully fleshed out? No one knows but at least we’re starting to get to the issues that bother rmost people. I call on the Matos campaign to check its own records and be helpful to the Board of Elections in its examination. It is critical for that campaign to redeem itself, and the good reputation of the Lieutenant Governor.

Editor’s Note: The RI Board of Elections will meet on Tuesday, August 15th at 9:30am to present results from review of Sabina Matos’ nomination papers.  The meeting is open to the public at 2000 Plainfield Pike in Cranston, and online at: https://www.youtube.com/@boardofelections9481/streams. 

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To read more columns by Jack go to: https://rinewstoday.com/our-team/john-j-jack-partridge/

John J. ‘Jack’ Partridge, is a retired lawyer and Senior Counsel to the firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP, with four offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

A Pawtucket native, Jack graduates from St. Raphael Academy and summa cum laude of Providence College, where he majored in history. After Harvard Law School, he served in the United States Army in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. In 1967, he joined the firm of Tillinghast Collins & Tanner. In 1988, he became a founding partner of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP.

Jack has been engaged in many civic, political, governmental, and business organizations, serving as legal counsel to the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce for 27 years and was chairman of the Old Slater Mill Association, Common Cause Rhode Island, and Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island.

He is the co-founder of The Pawtucket Foundation and an officer and director of innumerable not-for-profit entities. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club and was Treasurer of the Ocean State Charities Trust.

Jack has a long history of leadership involvement with Providence College, which recognized him in 1999 with the Providence College Alumni Association Recognition Award for Public and Community Service, and in 2011, with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

He is married to the former Regina McDonald and has three children: Sarah, Gregory and David.

Partridge is the author of four books – Scratched, Straight Pool, Carom Shot – and his new book, Under Blood Moons.