http://capitolfaxcom.disqus.com/NoneenTue, 05 Feb 2008 22:47:42 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143160<p>I went and voted in the 42nd Ward today and was asked for my I.D. When I repeated by name (and not handing over my I.D.), the election judge insisted I show it! I went along with it...but knew this was not necessary!</p>CaliforniaTue, 05 Feb 2008 22:47:42 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143159<p>I guess it's now letter to the editor time to get my point across to people who refuse to listen.</p>CrimefighterTue, 05 Feb 2008 20:37:47 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143158<p>Ward 1, 33rd Precinct <br>10 feet from the polling place door I was offered a 'sample ballot' card w/headliner Barack Obama. No, thanks very much, although very easy for me to follow and highly illegal, I'll pass. Walk into polling place, must get better, correct? NO! In the polling room was asked again by short woman, "Are you voting?" "Why yes, yes, I am. Thanks for asking." She pulls the SAME SAMPLE BALLOT out of her pocket and says, "I can't give this to you in here." Really? Did you see the turnip truck just drive by too? Next, asked for my ID. Nope, sure don't have that, but take a look at this voter registration card - directed to next table. On that table what do you think before my tiny eyes doth appear? Yes, you are correct, the same sample ballot card - face up - thus reflecting headliner B.O. with his merry band - Durbin, Gutierrez, Delgado, Soto, Berrios. Lest I forget to mention, short woman who graciously offered sample ballot was on her cell phone reporting the numbers voted. If I'm not mistaken, also illegal.</p><p>Was voter 208 at about 6:45pm and hardly anyone left after me.</p><p>PS - I had to return to the ballot table after processing my ballot b/c the I was not asked to sign the voting form prior to taking my ballot. Another horrendous experience voting in Chicago!</p>City VoterTue, 05 Feb 2008 20:08:22 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143157<p>So you're admitting to a crime, are you?</p>Ken in AuroraTue, 05 Feb 2008 18:47:28 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143156<p>Of course not, True. But the questions escalate and, sadly, can be accompanied by a pretty hostile attitude. Let me share you my "true observations", based on my experience in Cook County in 2006, where the ONLY people the judges asked for ID were Latino. I objected repeatedly until they stopped after I threatened to call the County Clerk.</p><p>Judge: Name please? <br>Elderly voter with son: Her name is ___.<br>Judge: Do you have ID ma'am?<br>ME: They don't need ID.<br>Judge: I can't understand her name, I need ID.<br>ME: They don't need ID.<br>Judge: Do you really live in this precinct? What name did you register with? Can you spell that? I can't understand you. Show me an ID because I can't understand you.<br>Voter: (looks helplessly at son, edges towards door) <br>ME: They don't need ID. <br>Judge: You have to tell me your name in English or I won't look it up.<br>ME: Can you write down your name for the judge?</p><p>And since the judges don't like to be called on this they give voters the evil eye. It shouldn't be intimidating to exercise the franchise.</p>Anon 1114Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:20:44 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143155<p>Kane County, Campton 7: 11:40 AM</p><p>Very busy, had local issues on ballot, also primary for Denny Hastert's seat.</p><p>10 voting booths just for Campton 7, and they had been full since 7 AM according to workers there, with always 6-7 people in line.</p><p>Local issues driving the turnout, which sure was looking good according to staff.</p><p>Moved to a new precinct location (brand new church with large parking lot), and the parking lot was literally packed - People were waiting for somebody to leave, then taking the empty spot. Turnout was really something.</p><p>Local races (Village of Campton Hills board; Kane County Board chair; &amp; Denny Hastert's seat) looked to be the big draws.</p><p>Saw a stream of people in line, holding one of the competing mailers over the opposing slates regarding the Village of Campton Hills board. Feelings are running hot over that issue.</p>Judgment Day Is On The Way...Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:17:15 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143154<p>"I almost didn’t bring my ID on principle this morning, and if my judge had insisted I would have been unable to vote today."</p><p>And if somebody had already come in and voted for you, you wouldn't have been able to vote either.</p><p>"I saw several older immigrants, who were clearly registered, flummoxed by judges questioning them about their ID, their address, if they are registered."</p><p>So now the Judges can't ask a person if they are registered and if so at what address?</p>True ObserverTue, 05 Feb 2008 18:00:53 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143153<p>The beauty contest doesn't matter at all. It's only about the delegates.</p>Rich MillerTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:39:10 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143152<p>So, Rich, are you saying that if Obama got 90% of the dem votes but CLinton's delegates all got more votes than any of the Obama delegates in IL that Clinton would get all the delegates?</p>demgrlTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:37:07 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143151<p>Marilyn Manson Trumps Obama and Hillary in 46th Ward</p><p>Local voters were shocked to find parking access to two 46th Ward polling places blocked by singer Marilyn Manson’s set-up crews. The Lawrence House (4th pct.) and United Winthrop Towers (6th pct.) at 1020 W Lawrence and 4848 N. Winthrop, respectively, suffered from parking woes from 6:00 a.m. to late afternoon. The Chicago Bureau of Traffic Services provided the Aragon Ballroom with two Police Tow Zones and 20th and 23rd District Police provided local residents with tickets and tows. The tow zones, in force on for both sides of the 1100 block of West Lawrence and south end of the 4800 block of North Winthrop, forced those voters not living in those two low income high rise buildings to walk from blocks away (or not vote.)</p><p>While Aragon monopolized the streets and blocked the alleys, its two parking lots remained unutilized. Where were Dem. Committeeman Tom Not-So-Sharpe and Ald. Helen Shiller as this was going on?</p>46th Ward Uptown LadyTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:26:23 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143150<p>ZC, the "beauty contest" means nothing in Illinois. It's all about the delegates.</p>Rich MillerTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:15:45 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143149<p>I live in the QC also and one candidate had a sign 10 feet from the door where I voted. I think 10 versus 100 is pretty easy to spot. One of the gals working at the poll went out and took it down herself. She was really ticked off.</p>JCTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:14:30 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143148<p>Rich, thanks for the info, and kudos to the AG's office for being on top of this -- I just filed a complaint with details. I almost didn't bring my ID on principle this morning, and if my judge had insisted I would have been unable to vote today.</p><p>I've been a pollwatcher before, and the intimidation factor in asking for ID is particularly bad when there's a language issue. I saw several older immigrants, who were clearly registered, flummoxed by judges questioning them about their ID, their address, if they are registered. No question that if I hadn't intervened they would have left without voting and been disenfranchised.</p>Anon 1114Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:12:37 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143147<p>My voting experience in Lincoln Square went super-smooth. Pretty good turnout by 8:30 am, over 100 voting, counting the early votes. Nobody asked me for an ID.</p><p>Can anyone tell me what the net effect would be if I voted Barack for President and then voted for all six of Hillary's delegates? Not saying I did, mind; just curious.</p>ZCTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:05:58 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143146<p>Rich,</p><p>I had a better election day day experience than the ladies in this Tribune story:</p><p>"An election judge was charged with battery Tuesday morning after punching another judge at a 42nd Ward West Loop polling place *** The female judges, whose party affiliations were not immediately known, were quarreling over "procedures" when one punched the other in the face." <br><a href="http://tinyurl.com/2juh52" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/2juh52">http://tinyurl.com/2juh52</a></p><p>-- SCAM</p>so-called "Austin Mayor"Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:03:05 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143145<p>Rob, I don't want to get too deep into it here to avoid Rich's ire, but 1) IL already has a non-DL ID card and 2) make it free.</p>Ken in AuroraTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:00:58 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143144<p>Ken, Not every American has a photo id (not everyone drives, etc.).</p><p>How do you propose to avoid disenfranchising those voters without ids?</p>Rob_NTue, 05 Feb 2008 16:50:32 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143143<p>Voted in my DuPage County precinct (Oakbrook Terrace) this morning about 7:30. No line for me, but about five people were in line before I reached the voting booth. Just caught the timing right.</p><p>I pulled a Dem ballot -- was NOT asked to write "Democrat" or "Republican" as others in DuPage/Kane counties have mentioned. I also voted electronically for the first time. I don't like the system at all...how much paper is the elctronic system wasting by printing little receipts? And how do I write-in a candidate, is that possible? I don't even know.</p><p>Also was disappointed in the lack of choices on my ballot, but that's a different topic for a different day. Took D to vote Obama.</p>the commuter once known as So Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:49:06 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143142<p>Aurora Ward 5, 9:30 AM. No crowd, I was just over #100. Same election judges as usual, friendly, no stress.</p><p>I'm wearing my "I VOTED" sticker upside down as a protest of the poor quality candidates we've been offered.</p><p>I'd love to see the law changed to require photo ID to vote.</p>Ken in AuroraTue, 05 Feb 2008 16:43:55 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143141<p>From a story in The Times:</p><p>"Further, Illinois voters now use some form of electronic voting technology that has made it harder to commit the old forms of voter fraud such as stuffing ballot boxes, says Steve Sturm, an attorney for the Illinois State Board of Elections. . . .</p><p>Kankakee County Clerk Bruce Clark said a frequent question to his office is from election judges trying to verify a voter does in fact meet residency requirements. . . .</p><p>In the rare instance voters might be challenged when trying to vote, Sturm recommends they take along a voter's registration card, driver's license or some other form of identification as well as a utility bill or something else that shows their current address. . . ."</p>anonTue, 05 Feb 2008 16:34:15 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143140<p>This is probably the best place to post this. Some Chicago live-blogging pollwatching action:</p><p><a href="http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm">http://blog.myspace.com/ind...</a><br>?fuseaction=blog.view&amp;fri<br>endID=188400239&amp;blogID=354973039</p><p>An Exerpt:<br>"About 20 minutes ago an Electioneer from the Bradley campaign (the one that continually comes up in here) was checking in with the female Election Judge, who appears to be acting as his Pollwatcher (not appropriate), and then sat in her place at the table and began recording information on her forms and his own. Any possible shred of impartiality surrounding the Election Judges in here is ruined."</p>Sacks RomanaTue, 05 Feb 2008 16:30:27 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143139<p>Ditto what Jerry 101 said. My voting form included three parties to choose from -- Republican, Democratic, &amp; Green.</p>Rob_NTue, 05 Feb 2008 16:18:12 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143138<p>Just voted about 20mins ago. The Mrs. and I were voters 104 and 105 which is about average to above average for a general election at midafternoon. I don't know how it relates to other primary voting rates.</p><p>There were booths open, but at 2:40 it was a hopping place with several folks coming in as other finished up. The other precinct (that I could see) was also busy.</p>Rob_NTue, 05 Feb 2008 16:16:21 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143137<p>Moliner,<br>The law about signs at the polling place is 100 feet from the door of the room to where you vote. It is hard to determine unless the judges mark the spot. And many who do mark or come out to shoo us campaingers away, do not know about the 100 feet from the room.</p>Been ThereTue, 05 Feb 2008 16:15:20 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/05/election-day-experiences/#comment-18143136<p>Normal 27...asked myself and everyone I saw come in for ID. Not my first time or anything. It seems that there are judges who weren't trained on the rules.</p>the wonderboyTue, 05 Feb 2008 16:09:55 -0000