Stripped Down Rights By Chris Dzuric,Callway County

A change is sweeping through the Lewis Convention. Executive offices will be filled a new way this year, and is it truly democratic?
The Governor for the Lewis Convention is still selected by all participants of the MOYIG program, as is the Secretary of State. The drastic change comes in the election of Lt. Governor and Attorney General.
“It’s good because people who actually know what they are doing are can figure out what is going on [with the candidates],” said Jolie Denton of Francis Howell Central “Everybody who doesn’t really know [about the candidates] but still wants to have an opinion cannot put it in.”
Instead of being elected by all the participants of MOYIG, the elections of Lt. Governor and Attorney General will take place only in the respected program areas.
“Most people don’t really know who their candidates are until the night of the convention,” said Brad DiMariano, a governor candidate from Francis Howell Central “Now that [the convention] is smaller and split into two conventions you can get more involved in the [election] process.”
Participants in MOYIG view that change as unlawful, taking away the right to vote from participants in the program. They believe the change should have been voted on at previous conventions instead of being chosen by MOYIG staff. Participants don’t like the idea of their participation being cut in half by only being allowed to elect two of the four officers. (information collected from polling of MOYIG participants)