PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF VOTERS

PRESS RELEASE
FRIDAY, DECMEBER 20, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Asa Gregory:
Contact: Barbara DeAntonio: 
Communications Director: George Fisher

PET-V VOWS TO REMAIN LOCAL WATCH GROUP BY EDUCATING VOTERS

Raleigh, NC—-This morning, the North Carolina Board of Elections ruled in favor of Wilson County Tea Party founder and Secretary of the Wilson County Board of Elections, Joel Killion in a complaint filed by local Wilson county residents,  Asa Gregory and Barbara DeAntionio. 

The complaint– with over thirty exhibits– alleged Killion acted inappropriately as Secretary of the Wilson county Board of Elections by favoring local Tea Party candidates in an effort to support candidates with similar political ideologies.  The Board said they would follow up by sending Killion a letter explaining state policy and procedure rules.

PET-V co-founder, Asa Gregory said, “we feel this is a victory in that the local election officials must follow standards set forth by the State Board.  During our presentation of evidence, we feel the Board heard our complaints and even though we are somewhat saddened that they didn’t act more assertively,  we respect the Board’s decision and their decision making process,  Also we are very pleased that the Board addressed the need to evaluate social media sites in an effort to enforce the standards and rules, which to us means a victory.”

Another co-founder of PET-V, Barbara DeAntonio said, “I feel we actually had a great victory because the Board vowed to address Tea Party activities and agreed to send Killion a letter setting forth his boundaries.  The Board also said they would follow up with a phone call to the Secretary from General Counsel of the NC Board of Elections, Don Wright.  We were complimented by the Board by our well formulated complaint and acknowledged as a local watchdog for these types of issues.”

Communications Director and co-founder of PET-V, George Fisher, said, “this is a perfect example of the need for a group like PET-V.  Voters need to be educated and informed, they need to feel empowered and they need to know they can make the rules apply to everyone regardless of political affiliation.  We support all voters regardless of party affiliation in an effort to preserve and maintain the ethics and integrity of the voting process.” 

After the hearing, PET-V reaffirmed their need to stay focused on voter education.  And, remains steadfast in the pursuit to empower voters with necessary information.

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