Dear Alberto: I'm shocked that LACRALO votes are now secret! I don't know when that was change but if this is so, it is a rank violation of the rules and cannot stand. The foundational documents for LACRALO makes every election open; call for candidates, nomination, seconded nomination, acceptance of nomination. Every ballot verifiable; when it was sent, when it was accepted, when it was utilised. Every vote is open for verification by every member. Every ballot sent to the voting delegate is verified by staff. When it received and marked by the voter, an acknowledgement is returned to the voter. Staff is obliged to curate that acknowledgement. If so desired, every member ALS can and must see those ballots. In fact, the rules of LACRALO direct they be published once the election is passed. This is purposeful for transparency. And we are unalterably opposed to any change in that policy. Cheers, Carlton ============================== *Carlton A Samuels* *Mobile: 876-818-1799Strategy, Process, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround* ============================= On Wed, 22 Apr 2026 at 12:40, alberto--- via lac-discuss-en < lac-discuss-en@icann.org> wrote:
Lamento un discurso tan largo. Voy a contestar corta y respetuosamente: Reglas de Procedimiento de LACRALO
Artículo 13.- El voto será por manifestación simbólica con la mano levantada en reuniones o asambleas presenciales, para asuntos que no son electorales y será registrado por un funcionario para que no pueda haber dudas. Si la reunión es presencial, el voto para asuntos de elecciones para los puestos de liderazgo de LACRALO deberá ser por escrito, en papel y entregado cuando se realice la convocatoria a votar por el Presidente. Si la votación se da en forma virtual, la votación se hará por un medio que garantice la transparencia del proceso electoral. Específicamente: • El personal de la ICANN compartirá antes de cada elección la planilla que calcula la ponderación de votos; • Se hará pública la lista de las ALS que votaron; • Siempre habrá una opción de votar en forma anónima.
Saludos cordiales
Alberto Soto
------------------------------ *De:* Carlos Dionisio Aguirre via lac-discuss-es <lac-discuss-es@icann.org
*Enviado:* Miércoles, 22 de Abril de 2026 11:01 *Para:* lac-discuss-es@icann.org <lac-discuss-es@icann.org>; Lance Hinds < brainstreetceo@gmail.com> *CC:* lac-discuss-en@icann.org <lac-discuss-en@icann.org> *Asunto:* [lac-discuss-es] Re: [lac-discuss-en] Re: Solicitar inclusión temas en próxima reunión LACRALO
*ENGLISH .- (SPANISH BELOW)* *Subject: Concerns regarding the proposed changes to the voting system (Ref: Point 4)* Dear all, Allow me to offer some critical reflections regarding Alberto’s recent email, specifically addressing the proposals outlined in *point number four*. To address this point directly, I must pose a fundamental question to Alberto: * Are you truly a legal professional?* My skepticism arises directly from the assertions made in that fourth point, which appear to contradict the most basic tenets of constitutional law. My position—which aligns with that of every functional democracy in the world—is based on a non-negotiable principle: in any democratic society, the election of candidates must be conducted via *secret, universal, direct, and personal suffrage*. The *guaranteed secrecy of the ballot* is the cornerstone of a voter's freedom of expression. It serves as the primary safeguard against coercion, preventing those in positions of power from exerting undue pressure or retaliation against the electorate. When an individual decides their future or selects those who will hold decision-making authority, they must be able to do so with absolute autonomy and responsibility. The secret ballot is not merely a preference; it is a *mandatory legal requirement* that must be vigorously defended. These concepts are not novel; they are foundational pillars taught in every law school and university across the globe. Therefore, to propose a departure from this system—or even to suggest it as a viable alternative—strikes me as an act of profound ignorance and a "brutality" against democratic standards. Such a suggestion is particularly alarming coming from someone who claims to be a lawyer. Carlos Dionisio AGUIRRE.
ESPAÑOL .- *Asunto: Preocupaciones respecto a los cambios propuestos al sistema de votación (Ref: Punto 4)* Estimados todos: Permítanme ofrecer algunas reflexiones críticas con respecto al reciente correo electrónico de Alberto, abordando específicamente las propuestas descritas en el *punto número cuatro*. Para abordar este punto directamente, debo plantearle una pregunta fundamental a Alberto: *¿Es usted realmente un profesional del derecho?* Mi escepticismo surge directamente de las afirmaciones realizadas en ese cuarto punto, las cuales parecen contradecir los principios más básicos del derecho constitucional. Mi posición —que se alinea con la de todas las democracias funcionales del mundo— se basa en un principio innegociable: en cualquier sociedad democrática, la elección de candidatos debe realizarse mediante *sufragio secreto, universal, directo y personal*. El *carácter secreto del voto* es la piedra angular de la libertad de expresión del elector. Sirve como la salvaguarda principal contra la coacción, evitando que quienes ocupan posiciones de poder ejerzan presiones indebidas o represalias contra el electorado. Cuando un individuo decide su futuro o selecciona a quienes ostentarán la autoridad en la toma de decisiones, debe poder hacerlo con absoluta autonomía y responsabilidad. El voto secreto no es una mera preferencia; es un *requisito legal obligatorio* que debe ser defendido vigorosamente. Estos conceptos no son novedosos; son pilares fundacionales que se enseñan en todas las facultades de derecho y universidades del mundo. Por lo tanto, proponer un alejamiento de este sistema —o incluso sugerirlo como una alternativa viable— me parece un acto de profunda ignorancia y una "brutalidad" contra los estándares democráticos. Tal sugerencia es particularmente alarmante proviniendo de alguien que afirma ser abogado. Carlos Dionisio AGUIRRE
------------------------------ *De:* Lance Hinds via lac-discuss-en <lac-discuss-en@icann.org> *Enviado:* martes, 21 de abril de 2026 16:21 *Para:* lac-discuss-es@icann.org <lac-discuss-es@icann.org> *Cc:* lac-discuss-en@icann.org <lac-discuss-en@icann.org> *Asunto:* [lac-discuss-en] Re: [lac-discuss-es] Solicitar inclusión temas en próxima reunión LACRALO
Dear Alberto,
Thank you. Your suggestions will certainly be taken into consideration at the board level.
Best regards
On Tue, Apr 21, 2026 at 2:22 PM lac-discuss-es--- via lac-discuss-en < lac-discuss-en@icann.org> wrote:
[[-- Translated text (es -> en) --]]
Dear Mr. President of LACRALO, I request that you kindly include the topics listed below in the next monthly meeting to be held on April 27, 2026.
1. 1. Trips via CROP. Explanation of how to request them. 2.2. LACRALO Working Groups. Activities 3. Upcoming LACRALO elections. Request from the appropriate personnel the participation metrics for LACRALO meetings, ALAC working groups, and LACRALO working groups. 4. That the nature of the LACRALO elections be changed again and that the elections no longer be secret. With my warmest regards
Alberto Soto
.
C
C
_______________________________________________ lac-discuss-en mailing list -- lac-discuss-en@icann.org To unsubscribe send an email to lac-discuss-en-leave@icann.org
_______________________________________________ By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and the website Terms of Service (https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos). You can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on.
-- Lance Hinds Chief Technology Officer BrainStreet Group 287 'C' Albert St. Georgetown Guyana
This message contains information that may be privileged and/or confidential and is the property of BrainStreet Technologies or BrainStreet Learning. The information contained herein is intended only for the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorized to receive it . If you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy, disseminate, distribute, or take any action in reliance to the contents of this information or any part thereof and it may be unlawful to do so. If you receive this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this message from your system. BrainStreet Technologies or BrainStreet Learning are neither liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this communication nor any delay in its receipt. _______________________________________________ lac-discuss-en mailing list -- lac-discuss-en@icann.org To unsubscribe send an email to lac-discuss-en-leave@icann.org
_______________________________________________ By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and the website Terms of Service (https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos). You can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on.