Pure Politics

Since the Nov. 3 general election, a few East Enders have spoken up to lament the role absentee ballots have played in local elections - particularly in Lisa Stewart's victory for East Hampton Town Trustee.

It's not a new complaint. Those who surfaced last year to warn darkly of "people who live in some other place [mailing] in their vote to run our town" may see Ms. Stewart's victory as confirmation of their worst fears. A closer look is in order.

Until the paper votes were counted, Ms. Stewart's Republican opponent, Joe Holmes, led the tally - but only by a margin of 171 votes. Among the 971 paper ballots opened following Election Day - hardly a lot given the demographics of the community - Ms. Stewart received enough votes to turn the tide her way.

These ballots included absentees and those cast at the polls until the voters' registration could be certified.

Roughly 7,389 votes were split between Ms. Stewart and Mr. Holmes, with the final numbers 3,719 for Ms. Stewart and 3,670 for Mr. Holmes. The paper ballots represented about 13 percent of the total. They divided into 539 for Ms. Stewart and 319 for Mr. Holmes - hardly evidence of a conspiracy and hardly a lot given the demographics of the community.

Those who object to certain taxpayers' playing a role in elections here fan the kind of xenophobia that could reduce local government into embittered, competing camps. Deconstructing the delicate matter of governance into us-versus-them rhetoric is not in the best interest of the town, where balancing competing interests tests the mettle of elected officials daily.

Furthermore, lumping all absentees together ignores the college students, snowbirds, honeymooners, and others who would otherwise be standing in line at local polling places on Election Day. That almost 1,000 residents, homeowners and others, would go to the trouble of soliciting, completing, and mailing absentee ballots should be commended, not criticized.

Those who worry about the effect second-home owners may have on local elections should work harder to get out the vote for their own candidates on Election Day. Criticizing others' right to vote is wrong.