At the Nov. 7 City of Groton Council Meeting, democracy was struck down by three councilors. Councilors Rashard Carter, Stephen Sheffield, and Christine Piazza, by their vote, moved the city’s election date from May to November. The vote was two for May, two against and one abstained. Both political parties held meetings and overwhelmingly voted to keep May elections.

At the public hearing and the committee of the whole meeting, more people spoke in favor of May elections. Signatures from 369 city residents was presented to the council stating we the undersigned wish to keep May elections but if the council believes that a change is warranted it be done by a vote of the people. This all fell on deaf ears.

Why would they do this? Was it that they did not have faith that the people would side with them? By their vote, they told the people of the city that they could not be trusted with what these three councilors wanted, so they refused to let a vote happen. Democracies die when the right to vote is infringed on.

Paul Duarte

Groton