Nov 08 2006

Tell Us What You Think

Published by at 9:30 am under Elections

Please post your comments and concerns about election day here. I’ll respond to them over the course of the next few weeks.

20 responses so far

20 Responses to “Tell Us What You Think”

  1. # on 08 Nov 2006 at 10:46 am by Concrete Box

    I think the Tax Referenda on my ballot was wordy, nonsensical, and failed to properly describe the issue. On my ballot there was no mention as to why such a tax increase was suggested, or what the extra funds would be used for. I would have no idea what this referenda was referring to if I hadn’t read in-depth pre-election coverage.

    I think the wording affected the outcome of this referenda.

    From what I understand this tax increase would have resulted in me paying ~$25 more per year in property taxes, and would have used the increased revenue to provide much needed public-aid funds for the poorest-of-the-poor in our county. I think if this information had been on the ballot more people would have voted for it.

    I request that future referenda be worded in plan English, and include a description of why the referenda is on the ballot and what (in the case of tax issues) the increased funds would be used for.

  2. # on 08 Nov 2006 at 11:18 am by Anonymous

    Thanks for the improved privacy guard, it’s much better than last time. It’s purpose is largely defeated, however, when the poll worker helps you feed the ballot into the scanner. The voter should be left alone until the ballot is accepted or they ask for help.

  3. # on 08 Nov 2006 at 11:29 am by Anonymous

    I assume the referendum was written by its sponsors and was as self-promoting as allowed by law. If you allow arguments for a referendum on the ballot itself, then to be fair you would have to allow a rebuttal.

    There was no organized opposition to this measure, but I think the voters suspected that the “help the poor” story was being exaggerated to hide bloated spending. There was a valid argument for a tax increase, but no justification given for the proposed amount.

  4. # on 08 Nov 2006 at 11:36 am by Champaign County Clerk

    The wording on the referendum is set by statute.

  5. # on 08 Nov 2006 at 3:13 pm by Anonymous

    I am in Newcomb Township and there were not any privacy guards. I had to stand and hold my ballot while the gentleman at the scanner finished his conversation with the previous voter. I felt like everyone in the room could see who I voted for.

  6. # on 08 Nov 2006 at 5:50 pm by mrscake

    Overall, it was very good, but I think that some voters would be more comfortable if it was clear that they had the option of feeding their own ballots into the scanner.

  7. # on 08 Nov 2006 at 9:36 pm by Anonymous

    What is the requirement for presenting identification at the polling place? I was expecting to show a valid photo ID and voter registration card, but was not asked for either of these. Is the comparison of my signature to what the election judge has on file sufficient identification?

  8. # on 09 Nov 2006 at 7:34 am by Anonymous

    It was simple and easy.Mark,keep up the good work.

  9. # on 09 Nov 2006 at 1:21 pm by Dave S.

    I have been impressed for four years now at the accessibility of your website, records, general information, and the execution and openess of the electoral process in Champaign County.

    Specifically, I’m impressed by your LACK of ambition. You execute the job of County Clerk really well, take the job seriously, and not as a stepping stone to further your own career. You are a true public servant, and I hope that your office continues to be responsive to the needs of the community.

  10. # on 09 Nov 2006 at 3:10 pm by Concrete Box

    I accept that my request is most likely beyond the control of the County Clerk. Thanks for providing this space for feedback, and for the personal response.

    Reguarding my reqest for more clear wording on future referenda; would my Representives in the State Senate have the athority to make such a request to the congress on my behalf?

    Thanks again.

  11. # on 09 Nov 2006 at 3:15 pm by Concrete Box

    OPPS! I guessing now it is the County Board, not State Senate I should be directing my consern to.

  12. # on 09 Nov 2006 at 7:53 pm by Cal Skinner

    It would have been nice to have the write-in candidates listed with the votes they got. Check out Sangamon County, Peoria County and City.

  13. # on 09 Nov 2006 at 7:57 pm by Cal Skinner

    Check out Douglas County, too, for write-in results.

  14. # on 09 Nov 2006 at 9:11 pm by Anonymous

    Sure miss those electric lights in the booths “like we used to have.” Mentioned this to local election officials and heard that after I left they pulled the row of booths directly under the overhead lights, making it far easier to see those little ovals.

  15. # on 10 Nov 2006 at 3:48 am by JRR

    To the person who asked about identification requirements, Illinois law states that the address and signature on your application for ballot must match that in the poll records. If the name and address match, this is sufficient evidence of a voter’s entitlement to be given a ballot.

    In Illinois — the requirements vary by state — identification is only needed for those first-time voters who have not previously identified themselves to the election authority.

  16. # on 11 Nov 2006 at 10:35 am by Mary Bird

    Hi Mark,

    Some comments on the Election Judges where I was a pollwatcher: One left the building after 6am to go vote; fried chicken, open drinks and USED Kleenex on table with applications, sig books, etc.; judges asked pollwatchers what to do in a number of different situations; Judges had no cell phone-used pollwatchers’ phones all day; Judge gave voter TWO provisional ballots; Judge gave voter Federal only instead of provisional ballot; Judge verbally reprimanded pollwatcher when pollwatcher told Judge that Judge had given voter wrong ballot; Adult Judge declared (s)he was too tired after 3 sleepless nights studying for an exam. The best of the 5 Election Judges was the high school student. Two of the adult Judges even had a very loud verbal argument in front of voters! One was going to leave because the other wouldn’t listen.

    I know it’s hard to get enough Election Judges to cover. I was an Election Judge for years and stopped doing it because of things like the above going on.

    I took advantage of ‘early voting’ and it was a wonderful experience. Staff at your office are polite, knowledgable and professional. As for you, Mark, I can’t say enough good things about you! Thanks for doing an exceptionally difficult job so well! I’ll work on your campaign any time, for it would be an honor to support you!

  17. # on 11 Nov 2006 at 4:59 pm by Gamera

    I have an odd question.

    I used to get a new voter card prior to every single election. I’ve lived in both Champaign and Urbana and I registered to vote in this county about ten years ago through motor-voter.

    This is the first election where I *didn’t* receive a new voter card prior to the election.

    How often do you send out a voter card and do I have to have my voter card with me in order to vote?

  18. # on 13 Nov 2006 at 10:13 am by Champaign County Clerk

    Cal,

    The write-in’s are posted on our website.

    http://www.champaigncountyclerk.com/elections/results/2006/docs/nov/11_07_2006_writein.pdf

  19. # on 17 Apr 2007 at 8:12 pm by Anonymous

    At this point (9:12 PM), your “unofficial final county summary” shows 5 precincts reporting in the Champaign City Council race, with a total of 1,588 votes. Yet adding the votes from the 5 precincts for which results are posted on the web site, the total is 792 votes. This is less than confidence-inspiring.

  20. # on 17 Apr 2007 at 8:50 pm by Anonymous

    Now it’s almost 10 PM, and only 10 Champaign precincts are counted? In an off-year local election where almost nobody voted? What’s the point of all these electronic scanning machines if someone still has to count the ballots on their fingers?

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