If you think democratic elections are sham-worthy, you haven’t even heard of this one.
In a city of 180,000 residents, just 238 people turned out to vote yesterday in Providence, Rhode Island. The city was voting on board members for its Ebenezer Knight Dexter Donation Fund. The directors decide how to spend the money each year, which is dedicated to nonprofits.
The fund was set up by the will of a businessman who died in 1824. Providence residents can vote on who administers it. In past years, it has been controlled by the mayor and his staff. In this year’s election, the mayor hand-picked five candidates to endorse for the fund’s board.
In a city with a total population of 180,000, exactly 238 people showed up to vote yesterday in this election, many of them city employees. During the two-hour time window while the election was open, the mayor’s staff members worked the line and continued campaigning for the mayor’s chosen slate of candidates.
When the votes were tallied, miraculously, the mayor’s chosen candidates had won again! This means that the fund will be chaired by none other than Miss Rhode Island USA Theresa Agonia (pictured above). She also serves as a Deputy Chief of Staff in the mayor’s office.
Let’s all cheer this marvelous example of democracy in action!
Sources:
Photo: Courtesy of The Miss Universe Organization
Go Local: http://www.golocalprov.com/news/providences-nonprofits-face-diminished-dexter-donation-fund-in-2016
WPRI News: http://wpri.com/2016/10/27/mayor-elorza-survives-political-coup-to-keep-control-of-donation-fund/
Miss Rhode Island USA profile: http://www.missuniverse.com/missusa/members/profile/825108