Republican Club Vote Is Contested

Travis D. Wheatley '99 was elected president of the Harvard Republican Club (HRC) on Dec. 12 and was poised to begin his term four days later.

To this day, he has yet to take office.

Club members said yesterday that results of the election were voided due to a minor procedural error in the voting process.

A new election will be held Feb. 10.

According to former HRC President James M. Dickerson '98, one member tried to vote a bit too late in the first election.

"A vote was called for and their vote was given approximately five seconds after it was called for," said Dickerson, who is staying on as president in the interim.

Club members refused to say who contested the election, which was decided by a single vote.

Dickerson said the HRC election commission was alerted about "a constitutional procedural error" within 24 hours of the initial vote.

Wheatley will again be vying for the presidency against Steven J. Mitby '99 and Thomas J. Fox '98, the same two who opposed him the first time around.

HRC election commission committee chairperson Randy A. Karger '98 said the new election is merely standard procedure.

"We just want to make sure that rules are followed," Karger said.

The candidates said that although the delay is frustrating, following constitutional procedures is for the best.

"I don't know the details [but] I think it's important to comply with the [HRC] constitution [to] ensure a fair process for everyone involved," said Mitby.

Wheatley concurred. "I would like to be president but I would like to be president without any constitutional problems marring it," he said.

Dickerson said turnout may be higher in the next election because the first was held close to winter break.

A second election is not expected to benefit any particular candidate, Dickerson said.

He predicted that the new election also will be tight.

Although the position of president is contested, other newly elected officers will remain as follows: William Jay '98, vice-president; Bradley L. Whitman '98, who is a Crimson editor, treasurer; Bradley L. Davis '00, secretary; and Mitby, member-at-large, unless he wins the highest post.

In that case, another election would be held for the member-at-large position.