Coalinga, California – A convicted child sex predator who’s currently being housed in a state mental hospital in Coalinga wants to run for city council district 5 seat.
An election flyer is being passed around the state hospital telling inmates to vote for Micheal St. Martin as a write-in candidate for the district 5 seat. Full Article
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He’ll never win, of course. But for the sake of argument, suppose he did.
I would think that would be a pretty clear indication of an effort by Coalinga (or the county or whoever) to inflate their population? Add in their failed effort to deny voting rights to that same population and I would think a lot of worm-cans could/would/should be opened regarding the corruption and overall shiftiness of the local government officials there. Think about it – budgets, grants, and requests based on population, many of whom will not be affected or receive the presumed benefits. Several tops to skim off the top of, in theory.
The point could still be made if St. Martin gets a significant number of votes or portion of the overall electorate, since all of his votes will come from the hospital. Really interested in how this plays out.
I don’t know what the qualifications are to run for a city council seat, but I don’t see why St. Martin couldn’t fulfill his obligations from the state hosprison. His office could be there, and his constituents who are not already there would have to go there if they want to work with him in person. Big deal. It might be good for them. I’m sure the city could arrange a teleconference or video conference for council meetings.
The hosprison staff would almost certainly have to be forced to allow him the accommodations of his office, and to grant communication and visitation requirements and other governmental necessities of the job.
But I’m sure the city will do everything in their power to block him.
I hope he wins with a landslide.
LOL I love this! The citizens of the institution account for 33% of all Coalinga city votes. This now makes way more sense why they had the numbers to vote down that tax two years ago and why the city sued to remove their voting rights. He actually has a real shot of winning this election if everyone in the institution votes for him. Especially if free candidate isn’t the only one running. The other candidates will split that 66% while he gets all 33%. I so hope he wins and makes everyone’s heads explode.
I have spoken with Michael St. Martin and he assured me that he did not initiate a write-in campaign so that he could be elected to the Coalinga City Council. The fact is he has not properly “registered” as a write-in candidate with the appropriate elected officials and therefore he cannot be elected even if 100 percent of those who vote added his name to the ballot. His biggest concern is that the purpose of the write-in campaign is to spread fear about him and other Coalinga patients in order to cast doubt on their votes in next week’s election. It is reported that the number of patients eligible to vote has increased significantly (perhaps an additional 100 patients) in recent months due to a voter registration drive. It is also reported that fliers properly posted on hospital “bulletin boards” that voiced opposition to the new sales tax increase were removed by hospital staff.
If that hospital can beat that tax votes. This guy can win!
Vosburg said there are 963 eligible voters in district five and 342 voters are housed in the state hospital. If none of the 621 didn’t vote then he can win.
but I just read that Janice Bellucci wrote that he is not actually running for it. Maybe someone else will run just to rub it in Coalinga’s face!
Mapping of seat 5
https://www.coalinga.com/uploads/1531443094_Coalinga_City_Council_District_Map_5_District_Map_Certification__2018.pdf
If someone does run I am not sure how that person can pull this stunt off because of the
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
The Fresno County Elections Office has prepared a nominations packet containing a number of documents required to be completed and submitted prior to the close of the filign period. In addition to these nomination papers, candidates will also be required to comply with the City of Coalinga’s CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT RESIDENCY POLICY. The Policy was enacted to help ensure that City Council candidates and sitting City Councilmembers reside in the district they will or do represent.
In order to qualify as a candidate for the City of Coalinga City Council, and have your name appear on the November 6, 2018 ballot, the following additional documentation shall be required:
1. Proof of Homeownership / Rental Property
2. Proof of Motor Vehicle Registration
3. PG&E / City of Coalinga Utility Bill
4. Candidate Affidavit
This is the future: direct political involvement by registrants. Remember to vote on Tuesday!
I think this is great. It’s got “Moxy”. It’s kind of a great tale. Kudo’s to this person just in the fact that someone forced into the darkest part of the RC paradigm has the “*alls to do this.
A cold beverage is hoisted to the cause.
There were just 22 write in votes in District five. The inmates probably couldn’t vote.