Marvin Charges Kennedy Denied Extra Votes Asked by 100 Alumni

To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

Over 100 qualified Harvard alumni are known to have requested, individually, in writing, that ballots for the 1966 Overseers election be sent to them, but no ballots were sent to them.

These alumni have every right under the law and regulations to get ballots timely and to vote. Their postcards, individually signed, and giving their degrees -- from many different classes -- read:

"To The Secretary, Harvard Board of Overseers: Please send me an official ballot for the Harvard Board of Overseers election, In time for me to vote by June 10, 1966, since mine has been misplaced, lost, or spoiled."

These cards were delivered each day to the Office of the Overseers from May 19 (4 weeks ago) to June 3, 1966, but ballots were not sent when these requests were received.

After a conference on June 3, 1966, with Mr. Abrams of the Honest Ballot Association, Sargent Kennedy, Secretary of the Harvard Board of Overseers, did send ballots to alumni requesting them by these same cards, without any unjustified requirement for a second request by the voter, but he failed to send ballots to those who had previously made exactly the same request.

What possible justifiable distinction is there for a few voters to get ballots while most do not?

The following telegram was sent June 6, 1966:

"To Sargent Kennedy, Secretary, Harvard Board of Overseers, Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, Mass: Because of shortness of time I have ballots for Harvard Overseers always should be rushed to all repeat all Harvard alumni requesting them by prior otherwise, not just the most reasons, Including the approximately who requested ballots before our 3 meeting without waiting for the replies to your letters stop also live those whose requests for before were delayed in your office or for the letters should not be penalized if the ballots are returned late stop this my opinion would be the fair deep to do stop (signed)

George J. Abrams

Executive Director

Honest Ballot Assn."

This position is one all persons living in genuine democracy can scribe to.

This position has nothing to do many proposed invalidation of any lot, as the CRIMSON news story implies, and I did not directly or directly send out any ballots.

In addition, several Harvard alumni have asked, in writing, for an experienced observer to review the analysis and ballots proposed to be Disqualified and the reasons there and to review the number of all quests for ballots that were not ordered. They have asked to present protests to the Overseers.

This, too, is a reasonable property

Increased participation by Harvard alumni is healthy for Harvard and accordance with our statutory deep responsibilities for its government. Langdon P. Marvin Jr.   First Marshal,   Class of 1941