The Liberal Party is responding to questions raised about the vetting process related to the Liberal Party leadership.
Past president Judy Morrow—a member of the Election Committee—responded to questions from reporters this afternoon.
Either John Abbott or Andrew Furey will be the new leader come August 3, but some people have questions as to the process, especially eligibility to vote.
Morrow says results exceeded 2013 numbers. Have 33,500 eligible voters so far for convention. About 1,000 ineligible for various reasons
— Brian Madore (@bmadorevocm) July 8, 2020
300 have been disqualified. Morrow says those who chose “no” to supporting the aims and objectives of the party were disqualified. Other eligibility requirements in place.
— Linda Swain (@LindaSwainVOCM) July 8, 2020
Robyn LeGrow is one of many who are wondering what’s going on. She signed up to vote but was rejected by a party official on the basis that she was not a Liberal supporter.
At question are robocalls and follow up emails attempting to determine party support.
Example of follow-up email.
Jason told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly this morning that he received follow up emails after hanging up on the robocalls. He was also told he was ineligible because he indicated he supported another party. That, he says, is not the case.
He says that may have been the case in the Danny Williams era, when the PC party was fielding strong candidates, but he registered for the Liberal Party and indicated his support.
A number of well-known party supporters have spoken to VOCM News expressing their dismay at the process calling it “intimidating.”
Judy Morrow told reporters today that voting for the leadership is an Internal Party Process and eligibility is clearly outlined in the party’s constitution. That, she says, includes supporting the “aims and objectives” of the Liberal Party.
Those declared ineligible through the vetting process can appeal says Morrow.
— Linda Swain (@LindaSwainVOCM) July 8, 2020
Meanwhile, party official John Samms says they became aware that people who, by their own admission, did not support the aims and objectives of the party and were seeking to solicit registrations from others who supported other political parties.
He does not suggest that either candidate had anything to do with the activity.
THREAD: As Co-Chair of the NL Liberal Leadership Election, let me clarify the process in relation to the crystallization of the voters list. Firstly, everyone can indeed be a member or supporter of the Liberal Party of NL. #nlpoli
— John Samms (@JohnSamms) July 8, 2020
