It has been reported that Alaska did not turn in its required signatures to contribute toward the rules committee roll call vote.
As a rules committee member, I had secured more than enough signatures from Alaska delegates, but the convention secretary was not at the designated location where I was told to submit them.
Some said she was hiding. Others said she was protected by guards. Regardless, I was told I could also present the signatures from the floor.
Nevertheless, when the vote occurred, my mic was not turned on. When I attempted to present these signatures at the stage, my effort was ignored by the chair, and the security guard turned me away.
The effort was made even more difficult by Alaska's late-arriving bus and slow security lines at the entrance.
Overall, this was not a good demonstration of delegate accommodation, nor of full, open, honest debate of the rules as was promised during the rules committee orientation.
Fred Brown
Rules Committee
Member, Alaska
