Over 2000 years ago, when Jesus was on the ballot, Pilate the governor of Judea was the returning officer.
Jesus had been pitched against a notorious criminal who went by the name barabbas. Barabbas wasn't a common criminal. His reputation went ahead of him as a robber. He had hurt people's lives and robbed them of their belongings. He was in incarceration as he wasn't fit to walk freely among the people because of his penchant for criminality.
This vilest offender was pitched against Jesus of Nazareth in a fierce contest which was a matter of life and death. The city was as divided as it was tumultuous. In the religious city of Jerusalem, filled with worshippers and religion leaders alike getting set for the Feast of Passover, the people were set to cast their vote.
It was a voice vote. Pilate presented to them Jesus on the one hand and Barabbas on the other hand. They had to choose one. One would have
