The Voting Process

[Let'sgoflying!]

This is not sz material, this only is the mechanics of how to vote well - let's keep it that way.

So, I got my sample ballot from the co clerk's office today.
There are 22-23 positions that I may vote on.

Local
-4 county positions (each with only one candidate-?!)
-school trustee position ('school board') - we are to select two of the available four.

State
-6 judges
-7 miscellaneous positions
-1 senator
-1 state rep
-1 governor

Federal
-1 US Rep.

How does the average, dutiful citizen go about learning each of the 60 candidates' stance (or even, their names) on the current federal, state, and local issues facing us, in only 30 days? (just writing this brings to mind the sheer volume of info a person would have to find and digest.)

The above question, which started as a quite serious one, has almost become rhetorical now that I realize the enormity of the task...however if anyone has a (non-witty or dismissive) means of distilling the technique, lay it out there!

Ps keep it out of SZ, I do not subscribe to that forum!

 

[ScottM]

Well waiting until 30 days before the election to come up to speed and inform one's self of the issues is not, in my estimation, being a dutiful citizen. But then I take my citizenship pretty seriously and consider it a full time occupation, that means reading a lot of the local paper, staying on top of issues by attending town and county meetings, looking over campaign literature instead of throwing it in the trash. In some cases actually going to see a candidate and speaking with him or her. I did that last month on a school issue. I have also been known to travel to the capital to meet with state reps on topics of interest to me. Last year I walked into the governor's office (post Blago) without an appointment and asked to speak with him. I only got as far as the CoS but that is good enough. I often am able to get into state rep and senate office without an appointment. You may only get 10 minutes but if you are prepared that is enough.

If you are just starting to look at candidates what I would recommend is to focus in on a few issues that are of importance to you and head off to the library to pull info or have one of the librarians pull info for you. I do not recommend voting for people you have no idea of who they are or what they stand for. Look at who won the Democratic primary in SC for an example of what can happen when too many people adopt that approach!!!

Lastly, my only rule that I follow for voting is for judges. I always, as a matter of principle, vote no on every judge. IMHO we need to not make the bench a life long position and qualified judges at the circuit court level are a dime a dozen. For state supreme court judges I look over the recommendations from the state bar.

Any ways that is my $.02 on voting.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

That may be true Scott, (the first part) but let's take a quick poll, how many people here are knowledgeable of their candidates names and stances? Scott, can you name even half of the candidates whose fates you will decide upon? Or their positions.
It is an insurmountable task to get all the candidates names on one sheet of paper before the sample ballots are out.
So let's go past that and get input on what to do now.

What are some other ways to quickly and efficiently learn about the multitude of positions and each candidate's stance? Locally, I can phone any one of the candidates and get a feel for what they are going to do. State-wise, is there a non-biased website that summarizes candidates and positions?

 

[ScottM]

Scott, can you name even half of the candidates whose fates you will decide upon? Or their positions.

Yes

It is an insurmountable task to get all the candidates names on one sheet of paper before the sample ballots are out.

I disagree. A simple review of your country clerks web page or possibly a visit may be in order. Lots of times your local paper will have the names.

My County Clerk posted the ballot a few weeks ago: http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyclerk/pdfDocs/PDF%20Docs/all%20contest%20ballot%20Nov%202010.pdf

Katherine does a pretty good job, except when she left 15 houses off a taxing bill for one of the districts that resulted in a $200k shortfall in the library budget. But it was caught in time to be able to fix it. Doh!

So let's go past that and get input on what to do now.

What are some other ways to quickly and efficiently learn about the multitude of positions and each candidate's stance? Locally, I can phone any one of the candidates and get a feel for what they are going to do. State-wise, is there a non-biased website that summarizes candidates and positions?

See my 2nd and 3rd paragraphs from above.

JeffDG uses a quote that I made in the SZ for his signature. It bears repeating.

"Government happens FOR those that show up. For those that do not they lose their say and government happen TO them"

I am glad you are taking the time to try and get up to speed. I am not trying to pick on you at all.

Like I said earlier, you are going to have to do some work and take some time. This is not a 5 minute job. Head to your library, they will have lots of info including old copies the paper (or maybe an online archive) to help you look up things about the candidates. Each state does things a little differently and I do not know exactly what resources you have for state offices in Texas. But your library will know. You pay for the library with your taxes, you might as well use it

http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm is a balanced voter site. No partisan leaning is allowed in the operation of the website. The board must remain ideological and politically balanced per their by laws. This site has been rated highly by both of the major parties.

 

[wabower]

Before you spend a lot of time reading old copies of the paper, you should determine whether the editorial philosophy matches your own.

Yes

I disagree. A simple review of your country clerks web page or possibly a visit may be in order. Lots of times your local paper will have the names.

My County Clerk posted the ballot a few weeks ago: http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyclerk/pdfDocs/PDF Docs/all contest ballot Nov 2010.pdf

Katherine does a pretty good job, except when she left 15 houses off a taxing bill for one of the districts that resulted in a $200k shortfall in the library budget. But it was caught in time to be able to fix it. Doh!

See my 2nd and 3rd paragraphs from above.

JeffDG uses a quote that I made in the SZ for his signature. It bears repeating.

"Government happens FOR those that show up. For those that do not they lose their say and government happen TO them"

I am glad you are taking the time to try and get up to speed. I am not trying to pick on you at all.

Like I said earlier, you are going to have to do some work and take some time. This is not a 5 minute job. Head to your library, they will have lots of info including old copies the paper (or maybe an online archive) to help you look up things about the candidates.

 

[ScottM]

Before you spend a lot of time reading old copies of the paper, you should determine whether the editorial philosophy matches your own.

If all you want is to confirm your own biases then the perfect way to accomplish the goal is to discount information you do not agree with. But if you want to gain knowledge you will weigh the information with other inputs to help you to synthesis a position that makes sense for your own situation.

 

[wabower]

I prefer to think of it as a philosophy rather than a bias, so I don't need any help with understanding what I think about various issues.

I also know that I won't learn much about what candidates really think by reading or listening to them, since they have all learned to stay on message and respond to every question with a sound-bite. Even Russert finally gave up, but at least he asked enough good questions that anyone listening could figure out when the candidates were dancing the fastest.

I also know that every bill they vote on contains so many different elements that every candidate can defend his/her vote based on the same "what I voted for/against" language depending on their audience at the time, and then make up some cover story later when the winds or the audience changes.

And no matter how you vote, you never know what you'll get after they are elected. I didn't like anything about Bill Clinton, but after the first interim election he was smart enough to know that he couldn't get reelected unless he moved over and governed from the middle. I still don't like him, but give him credit for understanding that insofar as the presidency is concerned "it's about the economy, stupid."

If all you want is to confirm your own biases then the perfect way to accomplish the goal is to discount information you do not agree with. But if you want to gain knowledge you will weigh the information with other inputs to help you to synthesis a position that makes sense for your own situation.

 

[Capt.Crash'n'Burn]

I have half a dozen Judes to vote for in this election. I don't know who a single one is, so what's the point of voting??

At least if they let you know who the incumbent is, I'd know who to vote out!!!

 

[JesseD]

That may be true Scott, (the first part) but let's take a quick poll, how many people here are knowledgeable of their candidates names and stances? Scott, can you name even half of the candidates whose fates you will decide upon? Or their positions.
It is an insurmountable task to get all the candidates names on one sheet of paper before the sample ballots are out.
So let's go past that and get input on what to do now.

What are some other ways to quickly and efficiently learn about the multitude of positions and each candidate's stance? Locally, I can phone any one of the candidates and get a feel for what they are going to do. State-wise, is there a non-biased website that summarizes candidates and positions?

Knowledge of positions? That's a nigh impossibility. They do everything possible to conceal their positions, and offer only platitudes like:

"I believe in family, truth, jobs, and the American way."

Great. Your opponent does as well. Why don't you both do me a favor and tell me what you plan to do instead.

 

[Capt.Crash'n'Burn]

Knowledge of positions? That's a nigh impossibility. They do everything possible to conceal their positions, and offer only platitudes like:

"I believe in family, truth, jobs, and the American way."

Great. Your opponent does as well. Why don't you both do me a favor and tell me what you plan to do instead.

If you want to know what positions a candidate will support, that's easy, just look at who his/her major campaign contributors are.

Voters rarely get what they voted for, but campaign contributors always get what they paid for !!!

 

[JeffDG]

There's another option: Nobody forces you to vote.

If you don't have a clue about a particular race, then you probably don't care enough about the issues involved in that office for it to matter to you who wins it. Just skip those races, and focus on the races that you actually give a damn about.

Full disclosure, I'm an alien and can't vote at all, but if you don't have the time or inclination to inform yourself about the issues at stake in a particular race, don't dilute the votes of those who do care about that election by casting an ill-informed or completely uninformed vote.

More on this: http://commonsenseaintsocommon.blogspot.com/2008/03/myth-of-voter-turnout.html

 

[JeffDG]

JeffDG uses a quote that I made in the SZ for his signature. It bears repeating.

"Government happens FOR those that show up. For those that do not they lose their say and government happen TO them"

Two things here:

1) I use this with full attribution!
2) Scott and I never agree on political issues...but his line is 100% correct.

 

[ScottM]

Two things here:

1) I use this with full attribution!
2) Scott and I never agree on political issues...but his line is 100% correct.

We agree on a lot, immigration actually is one of them although I like to argue the other side. Health care is where we differ. The rest is all shades of grey my friend.

 

[Everskyward]

If you don't have a clue about a particular race, then you probably don't care enough about the issues involved in that office for it to matter to you who wins it. Just skip those races, and focus on the races that you actually give a damn about.

That's what I do. Besides, the local (county) races usually only have one candidate running unopposed.

 

[JeffDG]

That's what I do. Besides, the local (county) races usually only have one candidate running unopposed.

Ultimately, however, local races have the potential to have the greatest impact on your daily life...

 

[ScottM]

Ultimately, however, local races have the potential to have the greatest impact on your daily life...

That they do. That is why I stay plugged in as much as possible.

A couple of years ago the library district that I am on the board of trustees for, annexed a bunch of land. To do that we started two years earlier. We sent notices to all that would be affected via first class mail. Held press conferences with the three local papers. Had two open houses and then had volunteers go door to door. Then 60 days prior to the election we sent out first class postage notices in the mail to all affected. Not to mention that the local papers discussed the annexation and there were signs posted around the communities stating this was an issue up for vote.

The referendum passed and new areas were annexed. To those in the new area we immediately sent them more first class mail welcoming them to the district and offering them a library card immediately even though they were not due to pay the taxes for that service until the next year. IOW they got a year of services for free.

The next year the tax bills came out and we got complaints. Many of which were letters stating that we had done this action secretly and without their knowledge and we should all be ashamed of ourselves.

SIGH!

 

[EdFred]

I just vote against all the incumbents.

 

[Everskyward]

Ultimately, however, local races have the potential to have the greatest impact on your daily life...

Dunno, I haven't seen much change or impact on my daily life in the 18 years I've lived here. I'm just resigned to the fact that I don't have much in common with the people out here and I mostly keep to myself. This is a rural county which has a bedroom community component on one edge of it, where I live.

 

[nddons]

http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm is a balanced voter site. No partisan leaning is allowed in the operation of the website. The board must remain ideological and politically balanced per their by laws. This site has been rated highly by both of the major parties.

Interesting site. I didn't have too much time to spend on it this morning, but do you know whether the candidates populate this information, or the Vote Smart organization does so? Because as I look at the listings for my two candidates for Wisconsin governor, they are starkly different.

 

[wabower]

If you want to know what positions a candidate will support, that's easy, just look at who his/her major campaign contributors are.

Voters rarely get what they voted for, but campaign contributors always get what they paid for !!!

That's not true. The officeholder may do whatever they can to for the big donors, but it only happens if they have the votes. And normally the officeholder is getting lobbied by both sides, so one side is thrilled and the other side gets the "sorry, I couldn't get the other side of the aisle to vote with us" speech.

 

[shenanigans]

How does the average, dutiful citizen go about learning each of the 60 candidates' stance (or even, their names) on the current federal, state, and local issues facing us

Short answer is they don't.
A friend who ran for office told me that getting put first on the ballot was a huge thing in less publicized races because apparently when confronted with a list of people they've never heard of, some people just vote for the first person on the list.

If you don't have a clue about a particular race, then you probably don't care enough about the issues involved in that office for it to matter to you who wins it. Just skip those races, and focus on the races that you actually give a damn about.

The first time i voted, I was surprised there were so many races. I wasn't even aware some of them were elected positions. I spent quite a bit of time leading up to the election reviewing the candidates and finding all the information I could. I simply couldn't find anything on a number of the races, generally positions that appeared to not have much relevance/power/influence.

I went in to vote with informed choices of who I wanted on all but those few positions. We had paper ballots. In the time it took me to quickly fill out my ballot, at least 6 other people had voted at each of the booths around me. This happened to also be a presidential election. I realized they just voted for president and left. Given all the time I spent researching my decisions for the 20+ positions, I was a little ****ed off that the people who left everything but president blank were walking out with a smug "I did my civic duty" attitude. I felt strongly disillusioned by the entire process.

 

[shenanigans]

Knowledge of positions? That's a nigh impossibility. They do everything possible to conceal their positions, and offer only platitudes like:

"I believe in family, truth, jobs, and the American way."

Great. Your opponent does as well. Why don't you both do me a favor and tell me what you plan to do instead.

I moved to Iowa shortly before an election with many contested state and local races. Candidates on both sides were posting ads saying, "I support Iowa Values". I asked a lot of people to explain to me what "Iowa Values" were. When pressed, one person half-jokingly said "corn". Other than that, nobody could tell me what it meant.

I should note that one party had its election headquarters based in the house i was living in, so I would have expected that the people around me would have some idea of what at least half of the candidates actually stood for ... but no ... none of them would/could explain in concrete terms what "Iowa Values" meant.

 

[JeffDG]

I went in to vote with informed choices of who I wanted on all but those few positions. We had paper ballots. In the time it took me to quickly fill out my ballot, at least 6 other people had voted at each of the booths around me. This happened to also be a presidential election. I realized they just voted for president and left. Given all the time I spent researching my decisions for the 20+ positions, I was a little ****ed off that the people who left everything but president blank were walking out with a smug "I did my civic duty" attitude. I felt strongly disillusioned by the entire process.

Would you rather that those six people had voted for someone without any information, canceling out your well-considered vote with their six random votes?