POCATELLO — A committee working to repeal Pocatello’s non-discrimination ordinance is seeking a recount in a close May vote that kept the law in place.
The Vote Yes Pocatello committee applied on Monday for a recount of the votes that were cast in 20 of Pocatello’s 39 precincts on May 20, along with early and absentee votes, according to Bannock County election officials.
Vote Yes Pocatello representatives confirmed Monday that they made the request and are planning to release additional information about their decision later this week.
Ian Service, Bannock County’s chief civil deputy prosecutor, said that once the committee’s application is approved, the county clerk will issue an order and the recount will have to take place within 10 days.
“It will be the same (procedure) as election night,” Service said, adding that they will recount the votes in each of the requested precincts.
Vote Yes Pocatello representatives had to pay $100 for every precinct they wanted recounted, Service said, adding that they will have to pay additional costs and submit another application if they decide they want recounts in any other precincts.
May’s vote on Proposition One asked city residents to determine whether or not the controversial ordinance meant to protect members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community from discrimination should be repealed. There were 4,943 people who voted to keep the law in place, while 4,863 people voted to rescind it.
Although the vote was close, it didn’t qualify for an automatic recount under Idaho law since the 80-vote difference was greater than .1 percent.
The non-discrimination ordinance, which city officials adopted a year ago, prevents discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based upon a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. And supporters say the law protects people from losing their jobs or homes simply because they are members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Although Vote Yes Pocatello representatives have said they agree that all people should be treated fairly and respectfully, they believe the ordinance goes too far and actually takes away rights from citizens.
They feel the law makes business owners choose between their personal convictions and their professions, threatens people with fines and jail time for following their personal beliefs, and uses subjective and ambiguous language to blur the lines of gender in a way that could abuse the privacy rights of women and children.
(3) comments
Maybe instead of subjecting our town and the population to a recount and more ridicule from around the country, the Vote Yes group could just print stickers like a rainbow with a slash through it so the people who support all human rights would know where NOT to shop or rent....
To quote The Idaho State journal in the May 21, 2013 edition, "Ralph Lilig of Vote Yes Pocatello, a group advocating the repeal of the ordinance has no further plans as yet to challenge the law in the wake of Thursday's vote." "The people have spoken", he said. Apparently Mr. Lilig is arrogant enough to believe that he should be allowed to continue to be a manipulative, judgmental voice in our community at any cost to human rights.
Paul Newman said, "“I'm a supporter of gay rights. And not a closet supporter either. From the time I was a kid, I have never been able to understand attacks upon the gay community. There are so many qualities that make up a human being... by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant.” I agree with Mr. Newman.
Those who sought a public vote on this got what they wanted -- everyone had a chance to say whether they are for or against this. The vote was close, but the majority said they support the ordinance. Move on already and let our community heal from this divisiveness. Enough already.
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