For decades, white officials appointed Newbern’s mayor and council members in lieu of holding elections. Most residents weren’t even aware that there were supposed to be elections for these positions.

The settlement will reinstate Patrick Braxton as the mayor of Newbern, the first Black person to hold the position.

Braxton was the only candidate who filed qualifying paperwork with the county clerk in 2020, so he won the mayoral race by default. The incumbent, Haywood “Woody” Stokes III, hadn’t even bothered to fill out the paperwork to run again. Haywood Stokes Jr., his father, had previously been mayor of the rural Black Belt town.

Cross posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/16944653

  • Melatonin@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    6 months ago

    Why not Federal prison? NOTHING they did was legal and at least the mayor (sic) and city council knew full well they were subverting the Democratic principles of the US.

    No fine, no probation. Prison for these manipulative shits

    • sunzu@kbin.run
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      6 months ago

      In america better people are not subject to the laws imposed on the loser classes.

      Always has been this way and yet “we” are always “shocked”

    • snooggums@midwest.social
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      6 months ago

      Kinda hard to throw them out when the majority didn’t know that they could.

      Most residents weren’t even aware that there were supposed to be elections for these positions.

  • DancingBear@midwest.social
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    6 months ago

    Does this mean everything the previous administration, every action taken every policy passed, every decision ruled on is void because they were illegitimate

  • mightyfoolish@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    The incumbent, Haywood “Woody” Stokes III, hadn’t even bothered to fill out the paperwork to run again. Haywood Stokes Jr., his father, had previously been mayor of the rural Black Belt town.

    The end of a dynasty. Good riddance.

  • ElderberryLow@programming.dev
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    6 months ago

    Glad they won the ability (really their right) to vote. Insane this was happening but also not surprised. Get that Haywood guy out of there.

  • Drusas@kbin.run
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    6 months ago

    Braxton, who was born in Newbern and described himself as a “handyman for the community,” hasn’t been able to access town funds since Stokes was appointed as mayor four years ago. He has used his own money to provide residents with COVID-19 supplies, as well as to host food drives and other events, according to The Guardian.

    Sounds like they voted for the right person.