Almost two weeks after a Vice Chair election at a July 24 picnic at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park by members of the 32nd Legislative District Democrats, Rev. Allyn Llyr, of the Gain Fellowship, launched an investigation over the validity of the race.
Llyr, of Kenmore, said the state party is now investigating the matter. A Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) for two years, Llyr was absent from the picnic while attending the Democratic National Convention. He was not a delegate, but traveled to the east coast primarily to meet with representatives in Washington D.C.
Llyr first received notice of the election July 15, the day before he was scheduled to visit New York, Washington D.C. and Boston.
In e-mails sent to group members while he was out of town, Llyr first acknowledged he may be compelled to launch the investigation, which he confirmed upon his return to Seattle.
“I am going to launch an investigation because the way in which this was done does not meet our charter and our minimum requirements,” Llyr said.
Llyr’s main arguments are that many PCOs did not receive notice of the event through the e-mail distribution list and that less than 10 days notice was given for the election. He also said the group decided there would not be any meetings scheduled in July and August, which the election violated.
Greg Rodriguez, chair of the King County Democrats, said he think’s Llyr’s investigation is “a lot to do over nothing.”
Rodriguez, who attended the Democratic National Convention and also was not at the July 24 picnic, said rules were followed regarding public notice of the election. He said very few people from the 32nd District were away at the convention.
The 32nd District is divided into factions that want control, Rodriguez said, which is nothing new and has been going on for years. He said he spoke to members from both sides and no one expressed any concern about the election.
“I have heard no other concerns within the 32nd District,” Rodriguez said. “I have heard from both sides that everything was done accordingly.”
Llyr, however, said he is not the only person who is concerned, although he declined to say how many other Democrats support the investigation. He said he is still in the process of contacting other concerned district members. According to Llyr, this is not the first time rules have not been abided by.
“We have had too many election frauds, even accidental ones and ones that are well-meaning” Llyr said. “We cannot risk ourselves as Democrats.”
As part of the investigation, Llyr said he may be compelled to file a lawsuit at the state court against the charter of the 32nd District Democrats.
“I am prepared to go all the way,” Llyr said. “We cannot allow ourselves to be seen, not even give the appearance of, this type of shenanigans of party voting.”
Rodriguez said he has never been through an investigation before as party chair, but the ultimate consequence could be that the election would have to be redone.
District Chair Dan Harkleroad was not available for comment.
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