Branch-Gilby 2008: Media: Judge Miller's ruling

News Release, May 24, 2008

RE: Judge Miller’s ruling in Democratic Party of Pima County v. Pima County Board of Supervisors

Donna Branch-Gilby, candidate for Pima County Board of Supervisors and a member of the Pima County Election Integrity Committee, yesterday applauded Judge Michael Miller’s ruling this week in favor of the Pima County Democratic Party. The Board of Supervisors had refused to produce data about elections to the Democratic Party. The judge’s decision requires the Board to release all election data bases for elections over the past ten years and for all future elections.

“My opponent was the primary obstructionist in this process; she blocked election transparency at every opportunity, “ Branch-Gilby said.

“This decision makes it clear that the Board of Supervisors can no longer hide from the people when it comes to counting votes,” Branch-Gilby continued. “The Board has the responsibility to run elections openly and count votes accurately. The Board employs the people that are supposed to run things properly and professionally. The Court’s action today is based on days of testimony from both sides, and shows that the Supervisors have failed the people of Pima County in all of these areas.”

Pima County uses the Global Election Management System to count the votes cast in all Pima County elections. “There have been substantial questions raised throughout the country about whether this system is secure enough to be used to count our votes,” said Branch-Gilby. “Now the people are assured that the political parties, which in Arizona are legally required to oversee the conduct of elections, will in fact be able to do their jobs.”

“In a democracy, we make our community decisions by voting. It is absolutely essential that we trust that every vote is counted and that every vote counts,” Branch-Gilby added. “Judge Miller has helped every single one of us to keep our faith in our democratic process here in Pima County.”