I have recenly retired from the Virginia State Board of Elections. The members of the Palestinian Election who visited the United States in 2008 came to Virginia at my invitation. I only wish I had seen the original entry in this thread when it was entered, but since I did not, I feel obliged to respond to it now that I am aware of it.

I have worked on the field of elections for over thirty years. (Please note that I said “elections” and not “politics”) I have served as an officer of election in my polling place, as a member of my local electoral board and as General Registrar of my county (Middlesex). I have also served as an observer or superviser, administrator or trainer in many elections in post-conflict countries – including Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo, Moldova and very recently, Belarus. I also worked for seven years as Director of Operations at the Virginia Board of Elections, the position from which I retired in August of 2010. It was in that capacity that I invited these visitors to come to Virginia to observe our training of local registrars and electoral boards and to visit local registration sites to gain more understanding of how voter registration is conducted in Virginia.

Their visit had nothing to do with issues of conflict and war. Rather they were on a mission of peace, if you believe as I do that self-determination and democracy are essential to building a peaceful society. As I haave been welcomed into so manay other countries in the cause of democracy, we must not let fear and prejudice prevent us from sharing our knowledge and learning from others. i am sorry to learn that anyone was offended by that visit, but I stand firmly by the decision to invite these delightful people, whose dedication to the cause of democracy is at least as great as mine, to visit our Commonwealth. I hope to be able to return the visit someday.

The issue here is not blaming or accusing anybody, but if stating facts is something people can make accuzations against, then this is just unfair.

As for the tour at the registrar’s office, did we pose any threat to feel unsafe? Such visit helps looking not just at mere experiences but also would open channels where people meet, share, and know eachothers.

One has to try to talk to people rather than througing out conclusions.

Again, direct and decent exchange of views is the right way for a better world.

Best,