The Anchorage Assembly heard testimony Friday from two of the four witnesses who were summonedto discuss a contest to an election made earlier this year. This is the first time that the two – Sami Graham and Daniel Smith have made public statements about the issue that has raised concerns in Assembly members over whether city officials interfere in elections.
Graham who was the chief of staff for City Mayor Dave Bronson, told the Assembly she didn’t intend to invalidate the results of the elections when she made her complaint. Graham’s complaint was based on an untested policy that was sent to her from the IT director of the city Marc Dahl. The policy was concerned using USB drives to transfer information about elections and Graham stated that she believed that it was a legitimate rule.
“I went through the entire Policy,” Graham said. “It was written by the director of IT. I believed his word that this is the way to go.”
Graham and her lawyer attended the meeting on Friday at City Hall, called by Assembly members who have indicated they require more details about the circumstances that led to the lawsuit. In a unique move this month the Assembly took up its subpoena authority to seek answers.
The city Ombudsman has determined Dahl was the person who Dahl had sent Graham the letter to influence the outcome of the election the election, as well. Dahl is now quit her position. In her capacity as an observer of the election Graham submitted the complaint in April the exact day Dahl handed her the document she mentioned.
Assembly chair Chris Constant said the purpose of asking questions of Graham Friday did not involve her in an act of crime. It was done so that the Assembly could gather information about how to improve its laws on elections.
“None of this is designed to be an inquisitorial investigation,” Constant said. “This isn’t an investigation. It’s an inquiry, as we work towards Title 28 and other code modifications.”
In the course of the discussion, Graham’s attorney, Bill Ingaldson, emphasized that Graham was not trying to alter the outcome in the vote.
“It does not say anything about reversing the outcome of an election, is it?” Ingaldson asked.
“Not in any way,” Graham responded.
“And actually it’s actually an order that a form of procedure, similar to what it seems like the Assembly is currently implementing, be enacted to protect the security the thumb drive do you think?” Ingaldson continued.
“Right,” Graham answered.
The Assembly also summoned two additional election observers who had signed on to the petition, and Dahl. One of the observer, Daniel Smith, provided evidence, saying that he had only heard about this IT policies through Graham.
“I was informed by Miss Graham that she had found the information,” Smith said. “And that’s why I there was no reason to doubt the authenticity of it.”
Dahl and another subpoenaed observer John Henry, did not attend the meeting on Friday. Their lawyers told them they needed more time to plan for questions from the Assembly.
Following the meeting, Constant declared that he would look at hearing more evidence about the contest. Elections are handled by an office run by the city’s Clerk which is supposed to be non-partisan. Dahl expressed concern over the possibility that a candidate for mayor, as in Dahl could influence the outcome of an election.
“We must figure out ways to protect the election from this kind of influence” Constant said. ” I hope, as you’re sure, we don’t get this kind of thing again, or in the next ten years, we will not see another instance of this.”
He’s worried about similar threats thrown out throughout the country to cause doubt on the electoral process.
“This is a campaign across the country to undermine trust in our electoral systems,” Constant said. “From the presidency and the race for the U.S. president right on down to local elections throughout the nation. I’m very happy to be taking a close look at our policies to ensure this kind of abuse doesn’t occurs again.”
He added that the Assembly will likely hear evidence from the other persons they subpoenaed in the near future.
