[Updated and bumped to the top. Check out the Kane County updates. Unbelievable.]
Keep those polling place stories coming. Also, what else have you heard or seen on the street?
Scroll down to see the 8 updates from the last election day thread.
*** UPDATE 1 *** This particular problem was reported in comments much earlier this morning.
Early morning voting brought dozens of complaints about malfunctioning electronic voting machines and a lack of special pens required to mark the alternative paper ballots.
As the complaints mounted, Cook County Clerk David Orr was dispatched with boxes of the pens to deliver while making his traditional inspection of suburban Cook County polling places. […]
“We have had many, many complaints,” said Kelley Quinn, an Orr spokeswoman. “More than 100.”
Also this morning, county officials said they received a court order to keep two polling places open an hour later this evening because judges did not show up and they were not able to open up by 6 a.m. Precinct 7 in Cicero and Precinct 92 in Bloomfield Township will remain open until 8 p.m.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Here’s an update from CBS2 on that problem in Kane County that I told you about earlier today:
Kane County polls will remain open until 9:30 p.m. after a larger number of polling places opened late Tuesday morning, officials said.
Kane County Clerk John Cunningham said he would be getting a court order to keep all polls county-wide open later so that early-morning commuters who missed the chance to vote would have time after work to return to the polls.
Cunningham said he is worried voters will be “disenfranchised” because election clerks were slow to open polling places on Election Day morning.
He said the delayed opening of many polling places was “unacceptable.”
The late-night polling places will delay election results Tuesday evening in Kane County.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Lisa Madigan on the job:
A spokeswoman for Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office said they have received a steady stream of calls with complaints, mostly about lack of supplies, such as too few pens. The office also reported complaints about equipment failures, including problems with ballot counters and touch screens not working properly.
But spokeswoman Cara Smith could not immediately comment on how widespread the problems with election equipment were.
Madigan sent out several teams of assistant attorneys general and investigators to monitor polling place activity to help ensure polling places were accessible and citizens’ voting rights were protected.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Apparently, the Kane County Democrats tried to warn the dominant Republicans about some of these and other issues last month and were dismissed as partisans.
He also said there should be an investigation because of the combination of nationwide concern over electronic voting machines and how secure they are, and the fact that David Bruun, the county’s director of elections, is a convicted felon… “Why not have him work in some other area like the mail room or vital records?” […]
When Guethle opened the floor for questions, most of them came from Republicans sitting in the audience. Kane County GOP Chairman Dennis Wiggins called it “ridiculous” to ask for an investigation of someone who has done nothing wrong, as far as elections go.
He said it was unfair for Democrats to criticize the hiring of Bruun, while the township has as its clerk Juan Thomas, a Democrat who was given a 90-day suspension of his law license for submitting a bond release form with a falsified signature.
He also criticized Guethle for asking for an investigation of the county clerk’s office, but not mentioning the Aurora Election Commission. That commission handles elections inside the city of Aurora, which coincides with most of Aurora Township. Wiggins said the Election Commission could have put an early voting site at the township, but also did not.
[Hat tip to a subscriber in comments.]
*** UPDATE 5 *** It seems that the Kane County Clerk has a history of problems with election day. The Aurora Beacon News published this story early today.
Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham expects to avoid what happened in 2002, when Kane’s vote counting had to be shut down because of a problem with ballots in an uncontested County Board race.
Unofficial results weren’t reported until 3 a.m. that year, but this time Cunningham said he hopes to have all 223 precincts counted by 10:30 p.m.
*** UPDATE 6 *** It just keeps getting worse.
More than 40 polling sites in Kane County did not open on time this morning, prompting election officials to request a court order to extend voting hours tonight.
The delays were caused largely by mechanical problems getting the county’s electronic voting machines up and running, County Clerk John Cunningham said. […]
The county has 223 polling sites. At more than 40 locations, workers were unable to power up electronic voting machines by 6 a.m., creating more than hour-long delays, Cunningham said.
All of the problems were resolved by 1 p.m., he said.
“I thought I had a backup for everything, but I didn’t,†Cunningham said.
One o’clock? For crying out loud.
[Comments closed. Go here instead.]
LIVE session coverage...
- Wumpus - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:18 pm:
In the Ocho 8th Cook COunty, a lot of GOP, spcifically McSweeney signs are getting up and walking away or mutilating themselves.
- Tweed - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:27 pm:
So I had this sticker on my coat for John Pavich. I live in Chicago, but John’s a great candidate and I was out in Joliet passing lit on Sunday. Anyway, my coat was covering up the part everything but the ‘VICH’ part. Some guy comes up to me on the street while I’m going to vote and says
“Wait, who is that guy? Is he a Republican?”
“No, he’s a Democrat running for Congress in Joliet/LaSalle County/Bloomington-Normal. (Jokingly) I wouldn’t be caught wearing a Republican sticker in these parts.”
“Oh, well you aren’t going to vote for Blagojevich, are you?”
“I don’t know, I’m on my way to the polls. I think I’m voting for Tim Nieukirk as a write-in-candidate.”
“Never heard of him. You know you could always vote Green.”
“No thanks, Whitney is a socialist who supports carry and conceal. That’s not exactly my cup of tea.”
“Well at least he’s honest.”
“So is Nieukirk. Have a nice day.”
And to think that conversation never would have started if I had more or less of the Pavich exposed.
- Sammy Esposito - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:30 pm:
Hearing from both Stroger and Peraica people and each side is bragging about better turnout than expected from their base. Stroger’s folks claim there were lines this morning in the South burbs and the middle class black wards on the South Side (8,34,21,) where a lot of county and city workers live.
Meanwhile, hardcore GOP precincts in Palos Twp. (where there’s a park district referendum on the ballot,) say they got a presidential election-like turnout this morning. A friend working a precinct there for his union tells me he senses a lot of angry Peraica/Topinka voters are coming out.
If these trends hold, maybe black turnout and white suburban turnout will cancel each other out. Then the Lakefront will determine the race for County Board Prez. Can Stroger keep the liberals in his column?
- curious - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:33 pm:
Precinct 11 Kendall county over 180 voters before noon. Heavy Republican precinct.
- Squideshi - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:35 pm:
Tweed, you just posted two inaccurate statements. One, Whitney is not a Socialist–he has gone ON RECORD stating that he is not a Socialist and does not currently support any Socialist Party’s platform. Two, Whitney does NOT support conceal and carry–he supports open carry, with an exception for Chicago and Cook County. Get it right!
- babs - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:36 pm:
Does anyone have turnout figures for counties?
- doubtful - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:40 pm:
Oh no, Wumpus! Signs are being violated!? Are you as upset about all the Blagojevich signs I saw ripped out of the ground and thrown in the forest preserve along Wood Dale road?
People are pissed; it’s going to happen. Let’s just hope that the violence stops at sign molestation.
And seriously, to all the ‘heavy GOP district, heavy turnout’ fearmongers, give it a rest. The smell of desperation is gagging me.
- Carl Nyberg - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:40 pm:
Turnout weak on South Side including Eighth Ward, but I have no idea about the amount of early voting.
- taxmandan - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:44 pm:
Turn out was much higher than normal this morning in Lake in the Hills (McHenry Co.). I actualy had to wait in line at 8:15.
Comrade Squideshi:
Whitney is a Socialist. Read the Daily Hearld article. If your not convinced go to Whitney’s website and read his position statements.
Whitney is a Socialist. Read the article. In fact
- kimsch - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:47 pm:
I was the first voter at my polling place in Lake County this morning. There were approximately a dozen people in line waiting to get into the polling place by 6 am. Two precincts share the polling place. There didn’t seem to be any problems at that time and there were more people than I have seen at that time before. The Lake County Clerk has upgraded the election results pages and they look like they will be a lot easier to read than in previous elections. It’s about 55° and cloudy here in central Lake.
- whans2000 - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:52 pm:
Springfield precinct 125 (Stephenson Drive First Community Church) was pretty busy at 10:00 a.m. I had to wait briefly. No problems with the voting machines that I could see.
- Fan of the Game - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:54 pm:
Voter in the rural western-central part of the state. Didn’t have to wait, but several other people at my polling place. Skies overcast with a bit of haze/fog, but the temperature near 60. Good election weather!
- Name/Nickname/Anon - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 1:54 pm:
I wonder if the Cook County precincts that had problems happen to be on the North Side of Chicago or in the suburbs. That would be shocking.
- Budget Watcher - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:02 pm:
Will the court order to keep Kane County polls open late affect the reporting of election results statewide? In other words, is there a prohibition from projecting winners until after ALL polls close?
- Ivory-billed Woodpecker - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:05 pm:
N/N/A,
The Clerks have plenty on their plates just managing mostly fair elections. Conspiracies are too much to expect.
- Dem Voting R - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:08 pm:
At my polling place, they reported twice the number of voters as in the primary as of 9:30am this morning. We also noticed Blago signs within 10 feet of the entrance and complained, but to little effect. The judge said ‘that wasn’t his job.’ Topinka signs had been removed. Ah, Chicago! But the voting was going smoothly.
- bbishere2 - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:08 pm:
Springfield’s 97 precinct electronic voting machines were working fine early this morning when I voted. The displays were clear and concise - a lot easier to vote with these than the old punch cards.
- oh well - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:09 pm:
We noticed Frerichs electioneering at a polling place.
- Gregor - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:10 pm:
Very busy in my polling place, had to wait a few minutes, but got a neat souvenir pen when I left.
What???
And the drinking has begun!
- alex - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:14 pm:
I was voter #506 at my Northern Lake County polling place - the optical scanner machine counts two precincts.Predominantly Republican precincts. Steady flow of voters around 1:15, but no more than two or three in line. Foggy, but warm. No political signs outside the polling location, unusual.
The paper reported 5% of Lake Conty registered voters have voted early, according to an election judge the percentage was at least twice as high in some places.
In my polling place, which serves four precincts, the “red book” judge now has a laptop to verify voter status and to check which precinct a voter belongs to. Seems like a good idea.
- Fan of the Game - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:14 pm:
I can understand long lines and problems with the machines (Though redundancy, while expensive, would help). But how can a polling place open late in good conscience? They do this once or twice a year. They should have the time to ensure that one or two day run smoothly.
Amazing.
- elephant - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:19 pm:
anybody know of any blogs with exit polls so far?
- cermak_rd - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:19 pm:
Fan of the Game,
For whatever reason, there’s always a few that don’t open on time. It’s just the way it is. Someone oversleeps, or dies, or someone doesn’t have the key… Keep in mind, most of the hundreds of polling places do open on time, so we’re talking a low percentage of failure.
- Lovie's Leather - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:19 pm:
I don’t understand how anything could be more simple than the punch card. You put the card in the holder and it names everyone. You punch the card and make sure that the hole is actually punched (i.e. no pregnant or hanging chads). I don’t see how that is more complicated than putting your paper ballot through a machine or computer touch-screen voting.
- Walking Wounded - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:23 pm:
I drove by my polling place this morning and saw a number of dem and rep signs posted right in front of the building. They weren’t there yesterday and I wondered how both party representatives had the nerve to place them there. A couple of hours later, I passed again and noticed the signs were gone. Glad to see someone was on the ball to get them removed.
- elephant - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:24 pm:
new voting machines = new money funneled to Pols…
remember, the Sequoia machines in Cook are manufactured by Venezuela
- NW burbs - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:26 pm:
Republicans must have trunks full of Dem signs… Even yards that had Dem signs up last night as I was canvassing are now sporting up to half a dozen GOP signs today (illegally in the parkway of course).
My precinct had had 30% show up by 1pm. The election judge I spoke with predicted 60-70% turnout by 7pm and ours was the only precinct that didn’t have a line at 1pm. The other 3 precincts where I voted looked (by the count on the scan machine) to have had even higher numbers by that point.
Lots of kids with parents — always nice to see.
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:28 pm:
At AA’s West Side Spfld polling place, it’s about 40% turnout..at 2pm. Pollwatchers indicate about 2/1 Repub at this point. Precinct historically votes 55-60% R, but Davlin carried it for mayor in 2003.
Voting machines working fine.
PS: Actually saw one Umholtz sign. May go back tonight and remove it for them. Sure to be a collector’s item.
- Fan of the Game - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:30 pm:
NW burbs wrote:
“The other 3 precincts where I voted looked (by the count on the scan machine) to have had even higher numbers by that point.”
Voting early and voting often? ;)
- cermak_rd - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:31 pm:
Lovie’s Leather,
In Cook, it was getting increasingly hard to cram all the judicial retentions into one punch card. And it was always a challenge, because they had to be so closely spaced, to make sure the holes were lining up correctly. I, for one, am glad to retire the punch card.
- Lovie's Leather - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:31 pm:
NW burbs, exactly how many precincts do you vote at???
- elephant - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:32 pm:
OMG … :The other 3 precincts where I voted
- American by choice - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:37 pm:
Folks, don’t be lethargic. If you see signs too close to the polling place and no one cares, call Lisa’s office. Or, call the opposite party’s headquarters. Same thing with electioneering. Don’t let people get away with this crap. It’s bad enough we have hardly any say in who runs for office. Every little honest bit helps.
For those who are getting excited about high Republican turnout in certain areas, don’t. Most Dems may still be at work and the Dem poll watchers are on the phone in a nanosecond if it looks like they are falling behind. My husband, who was a poll watcher in college said that at his precinct, the party faithful would go to people’s house and haul them out of bed to vote, if it looked like it was getting too close. And remember, it’s close to 3 p.m. and the cemeteries can be called on to vote at any minute. :-)
- archpundit - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:39 pm:
====I don’t understand how anything could be more simple than the punch card. You put the card in the holder and it names everyone. You punch the card and make sure that the hole is actually punched (i.e. no pregnant or hanging chads). I don’t see how that is more complicated than putting your paper ballot through a machine or computer touch-screen voting.
Ummm…you do understand that the punch card is put through a machine too, right? Seriously, why would anyone think a punch card system using 40 year old technology is more accurate than scantron technology that only requires a dark mark?
- Lovie's Leather - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:40 pm:
If you see signs next to the polling place… just take the signs. Is it really that hard to figure out???
- elephant - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:41 pm:
“Most Dems may still be at work” … soooo, when they vote it will be Republican, because of the thriving, roaring economy, and because the Repub’s want to halt illegal immigration to keep american’s employed… right?
- Logan County - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:41 pm:
Logan County is a very Republican county—voters are turning out in high numbers.
- Lovie's Leather - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:44 pm:
If a hole is required for a machine to read the ballot, wouldn’t it be easier for a machine to mistake a “dark mark” for something else? Where as a hole has to be punched. I guarentee this new crap is no better than the old crap.
- ISU REP - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:49 pm:
I’d disagree they’ve been using scantrons in schools for years and they are fairly accurate…Out of all the scantrons i’ve ever graded i’ve never seen a mistake…
- archpundit - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:49 pm:
===If a hole is required for a machine to read the ballot, wouldn’t it be easier for a machine to mistake a “dark mark†for something else? Where as a hole has to be punched. I guarentee this new crap is no better than the old crap.
Facts be damned. Optical scan has far fewer missed votes than the punch cards. This has been well established for over a decade. You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.
Punch cards are unreliable and the technology was wearing out as counties were having a hard time finding people to even program the system. The notion that 40 year old technology that hasn’t been updated in years would be more accurate and reliable is odd and every study has found optical scan to be easier for people to complete. Why we found the need to buy electronic machines for everyone instead of just the disabled is beyond me, but a simple scantron type of sheet does the best repeatedly in tests.
- sthorne - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:49 pm:
Voted about 7:30 this morning. I was the 18th person in. No lines and everything went smoothly. There was a whole row of Republican signs along the street outside the building but no Democratic ones.
- Pat Hickey - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:54 pm:
as of 2:45 Precinct 23, of the 19th Ward in Chicago is on target to meet or exceed Primary turn-out.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:54 pm:
I didn’t see touch screens at my polling place but I liked the new ballot and thought it was easy to work with. The crowd was larger than normal at 8:30 and I’m guessing turn-out is good in my precinct.
My son just turned 18 and is voting for the first time and I’m so excited. Just wish our schedules would have allowed us to vote together.
- elephant - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:55 pm:
“but a simple scantron type of sheet does the best repeatedly in tests” … conducted by Scantron Manufactures !!!
- Grocery Guy - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:57 pm:
It seems that mostly Republicans are commenting on high turnout in downstate republican pcts. Many reports of high turnout from historically high Repub precincts. Few reports from Dem strongholds like Madison, St. Clair, Rock Island, Christian County, etc. That tells me that the Dem activists are out getting the vote out in their base and don’t have time to blog while the repubs are sitting at home writing about misplaced pens, signs to close to the polls, etc. It’s going to be a long night (and 4 years for all of you)
- archpundit - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 2:57 pm:
===#“but a simple scantron type of sheet does the best repeatedly in tests†… conducted by Scantron Manufactures !!!
No, by independent academics in both controlled experiments and quasi-experimental designs in real world uses.
- Lovie's Leather - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:04 pm:
So, then Grocery Guy, you are obviously a Republican if you have time to be here….
- Walking Wounded - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:06 pm:
For a little clarification, I was on my way to a Dr. appointment when I saw the signs outside the polling place. I didn’t have a lot of time to get out and start pulling them up. I would have certainly said something to the polling judges if they were out there when I returned.
Frankly, I don’t think either party has the market cornered on political sign ethics.
- Grocery Guy - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:11 pm:
Sorry Lovie, not a Republican — but somebody has to stay home and watch you kids
- Wumpus - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:23 pm:
I went to ge my emissions tested and this si a state holiday! I guess they have to work the precinct…jerks!
- Lovie's Leather - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:26 pm:
Well, then Grocery Guy, I guess maybe there is one democrat that got to vote this morning….
- RickG - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:35 pm:
People, people, could we please talk about the REAL issue of the day — that Britney Spears filed for divorce?
(seriously…strong turnout in Williamson and Jackson Counties despite the fog and drizzle, I hear)
- Dark Knight - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:42 pm:
Menard County is 101% Republican. Voted there at 10:30 and the clerks were astounded by the turnout. Over half the precinct had already voted and the place was still busy at mid morning.
- southside chic - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:44 pm:
I also just heard the tragic news about Britney and KFed…This obviously will be the lead story tonight.
- Gregor - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:46 pm:
Little gregor Junior came home from school today, said they had run mock elections. The results:
Topinka
White
Madigan
Radgogno
Poe
make of that what you will: do the kids vote the way their parents have been talking around the house, or do they go for other influences? Whitney got some votes because some kid said he drove a green Buick. I thought as a hippee, he’d drive a hybrid?
- Sammy Esposito - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:47 pm:
Arch,
There’s no arguing that the punch card technology was outdated, but I’m concerned about the large and flimsy nature of the thin “scantron” sheets. In the primary, these sheets repeatedly jammed and wrinkled as they were put through the scanner. Also, because of the judicial retention in Cook County, we have to use two sheets — that just doubles the chances for screw ups.
- archpundit - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:50 pm:
Brittany and K-Fed Nooooooooooooooo!
While I know nothing of the race for Kane County Clerk, I might suggest that those having problems remember this performance when going to the polls.
- Tweed - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:51 pm:
Squideshi, actually I had a question about the Cook County ‘exception’. How is Cook County so different from the collar counties, Springfield, Bloomington-Normal, Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, etc. that Cook County alone merits the exception?
- archpundit - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:52 pm:
Obviously Brittany and K-Fed is a Rovian tactic….
Sarcasm people, sarcasm.
- ISU REP - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 3:58 pm:
I KNEW it was a conspiracy Karl Rove has his finger in everything!!
- voted - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 4:07 pm:
Karl rove has his finger in everything? Nope not going to go there. Theres a Clinton joke in there somewhere too.
I heard some people were having problems with the key cards in Springfield, but no published reports. It worked fine for me. Poll watchers were saying turnout was about normal at my polling place.
- SilverBackDemocrat - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 4:14 pm:
Just got back from taking an elderly lady to the poll in precinct #10 in Monmouth- 247 paper ballots and 40 electronic ballots so far (2 precincts in that polling station. 4:00pm
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 4:28 pm:
OK, campers, let’s close this one out and go here instead.