*** UPDATED x1 *** More shenanigans
Tuesday, Nov 4, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* CBS 2…
City election officials had to send out scores of standby election judges on Tuesday, after a shortage of workers at polling places throughout Chicago.
Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Chairman Langdon Neal said at least one precinct in all 50 wards had a problem with election judges not showing up, and the city had to enlist the help of 250 standby judges.
Neal said the problem should not affect elections. City election officials were contacting voters they believe were not able to cast ballots Tuesday morning due to polling places opening late, and asking if they could come back to cast a ballot later Tuesday.
* Background on the robocalls…
A barrage of automated phone calls offering false instructions to scores of election judges was “a serious attempt to disrupt” Chicago voting operations in the run-up to Tuesday’s vote, elections officials said.
Between Friday and Monday an unknown number of judges — the paid partisan employees tasked with operating polling stations — received the misleading robo-calls, according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
“Given the level of response that we received, we suspect it was a large number of people — we don’t know how large,” Jim Allen, board spokesman said Monday.
Some of the judges received calls informing them that they needed an additional training session before they could work a polling station, board chairman Langdon Neal said. Only one three-hour session is required.
* But there was also a second set of calls…
the second call told judges they serve for one political party and they must vote the same party.
As I told subscribers today, the people receiving those calls were Republicans, making it unlikely that the Democrats were behind it. But one never knows, I suppose.
* In other news, remember the racist mailer sent into Rep. Fred Crespo’s district? The Democrats denied it came from them and did robocalls over the weekend to make sure Crespo didn’t get blamed. The Daily Herald followed up…
Hanover Park Village President Rodney Craig backed Crespo’s contentions Sunday. He said he visited [Republican candidate Ramiro Juarez] at his office Saturday and confronted him about the mailer. Juarez, he said, blamed the flier on a volunteer working for his campaign.
“He said, ‘It’s (a campaign volunteer), he’s out of control,’” Craig said.
State election record show Craig made donations totaling $700 to Crespo’s campaign in 2010 and 2011, but he said he has no role in this year’s campaign.
Juarez denied making that statement to Craig and blamed the accusation on bad blood between the Hanover Park mayor and the volunteer.
* Meanwhile…
In at least three locations — in the 1st, 2nd and 42nd wards — there were reports of counting machines not accepting the ballots. That forced some voters to cast traditional paper ballots.
In the 1st Ward’s 25th precinct, the automated ballots were put aside to be counted later. The counting machine was reading “jammed,” said Larry Ligas, a poll observer for the campaign of GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner. No ballots were damaged by the malfunctioning machine, Ligas said.
“The judges were incompetent,” Ligas said.
*** UPDATE *** From the DCCC…
* But this is what I put on the ScribbleLive feed…
I just checked with the East St. Louis Election Commission. There was an issue this morning about GOP poll watchers demanding to verify voter signatures. This is the first time that outside poll watchers have worked ESL, the director said, so there was confusion. The director has visited the three precincts where this was an issue, calmed everybody down, briefed everyone about the law, and notified the state’s attorney. I’m told by others that the problems have been solved, and the director agreed.
- phocion - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:11 am:
How did whoever was behind this get the names and numbers of election judges?
- Beetlejuice - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:13 am:
Gotta love CHICAGO!
- foster brooks - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:13 am:
lets get those 4 legged voters out there and don’t forget the cemetery folks. Come on cook county we’re “counting” on you.
- Earl Shumaker - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:14 am:
About 20 minutes ago I just received another Rauner robocall Unbelievable! I did not bother to listen to the message after Bruce Rauner introduced himself
- Carhart Representative - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:16 am:
The election judge problem is interesting. I am independent, but I vote 80% or so Democrat. However, because I liked neither Quinn nor Rauner, I grabbed a GOP primary ballot for the first time ever I think. Even when I was a reliable Republican voter in my youth, the Democrats usually had the more vigorous and important primaries.
Anyway, I got a huge envelope from the Republicans begging me to be an election judge as they had so few Republicans in Cook County. I wonder if some of the no shows were recent recruits. I also wonder if that’s why there were the follow up phone calls to GOP election judges.
- Just Observing - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:16 am:
=== Neal said the problem should not affect elections. City election officials were contacting voters they believe were not able to cast ballots Tuesday morning due to polling places opening late, and asking if they could come back to cast a ballot later Tuesday. ===
Yea, right. I’m sure they know exactly who tried to vote and is successfully contacting them. I guess these things happen, but let’s not pretend that nobody was affected.
- Just Observing - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:20 am:
I think you would have to be incredibly stupid to be behind the robocall to the GOP election judges. I imagine the feds are gonna get involved in this one, and I would think they have the resources to trace this back to the culprit. This is a serious criminal offense.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:29 am:
I got a polling call yesterday afternoon. it polled gov, treas, compt, and maybe one more office. same questions as a few weeks ago with basic voter info and conservative/moderate/liberal asks and whether I had voted.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:30 am:
Any signs of the “unprecedented” state GOP “voter integrity” effort?
For those squealing vote fraud already, given the absymal turnout in most elections, aren’t you confused why they leave so many votes on the table.
Fraud never seemed to be a problem when Reagan, Big Jim and Edgar were winning the state.
- Snucka - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:34 am:
Rich, do you know if Chicago will be reporting results by ward tonight? They usually do not, but I just took a peek at their “Election Results” page and noticed that it’s set up that way. Would be interesting!
- IrishPirate - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:37 am:
Snucka
Chicago has reported results by ward for years even down to the precinct level. There may be a bit of a lag between overall results and the ward/precinct level results, but results should start posting about 30-60 minutes after the polls close.
- William j Kelly - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:38 am:
Shenanigans? Isn’t he running for judge?
- CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:38 am:
should be able to sort out Juarez mailer when the name of the permit holder is revealed
- William j Kelly - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:42 am:
I confess I don’t really know anything about shenanigans but I voted for him anyway!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:45 am:
Just talked to a democrat precinct captain. In Chicago northside. Turnout low. Weather is good. So no excuse.
- Finally Out (formerly Ready to Get Out) - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:50 am:
I got my Rauner robo a few minutes ago, hung up. Then I got one from Ohio saying Democrats are flooding the polling places “in Chicago.” Hung up again, but I think I’m going to start listening the entire calls for the rest of the day. With the technology we have, wish someone could track down the bogus calls like those going to the election judges and prosecute someone!
This has to be the most annoying election I’ve ever seen and I’ve been around for a few.
- walker - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:55 am:
Trying to disrupt the general casting of votes at Chicago polls by robocalling judges to say they’re not yet qualified, and telling GOP-named judges to be sure to vote that ticket?
Not a Dem tactic.
- 1776 - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 11:59 am:
Verifying signatures is not voter intimidation - that is what judges are supposed to be doing anyway.
- Well_it_is_Illinois - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:02 pm:
Well, it is Illinois … I can no longer profess shock about anything… from either party.
- Just Observing - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:02 pm:
=== Just talked to a democrat precinct captain. In Chicago northside. Turnout low. Weather is good. So no excuse. ===
Well, early and absentee voting seemed to spike this election, which will account for lower E-Day turnout.
- walker - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:03 pm:
That “army on the ground” of “voter integrity project” workers, supported by $3Million in GOP funds, have to do something with their time.
Looking forward to the massive number of individual fraud cases they uncover — bet it’s less than 5 potential votes statewide.
Whatever plays to the victim base.
Maybe if the GOP wins more than a few, these fears will fade away.
- Finally Out (formerly Ready to Get Out) - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:05 pm:
1776….The post said “GOP poll watchers demanding to verify voter signatures” and not election judges.
- 1776 - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:13 pm:
@ finally. Poll watchers have the right to ask judges to make sure signatures are verified. I’ve watched polls on many occasions and may question an address if I believe its inaccurate or a signature.
It all depends if done in a respectful manner or if someone is simply challenging everybody.
- Ken_in_Aurora - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:14 pm:
=== the people receiving those calls were Republicans, making it unlikely that the Democrats were behind it ===
Snark, or am I missing something here? I ain’t a political animal.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:20 pm:
Rich - I was a poll watcher in East St. Louis two years ago and I know Karmeier had poll watchers there in 2004, so this is definitely not a new phenomenon.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:22 pm:
===Snark, or am I missing something here? ===
Why would the Dems tell any Chicagoans to vote straight R?
- phocion - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:24 pm:
Emily Bittner tweet: “Hearing that Republicans are engaging in some serious voter intimidation in East St. Louis, key precinct in #IL12 and statewide.”
Rich, thanks for asking Ms. Bittner to clarify. As a result, it seems the claim of “statewide” “serious voter intimidation” was in reality a few uninformed poll watchers in a few precincts who asked for id, which they weren’t entitled to. Problem solved, except for Emily Bittner’s credibility.
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:26 pm:
Amalia, I got the same call. I assume it was from Rauner’s camp, because I can’t imagine a bigger waste of money. “If the election were held today, how would you vote?”
Um, same way I’m planning to vote 13 hours from now. Also, the same way I was planning to vote 13 months ago….
- Finally Out (formerly Ready to Get Out) - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:27 pm:
1776….I wasn’t disputing the right to verify, just clarifying that the post says it was GOP volunteers and not judges.
In re-reading the post, it does not specifically say if the GOP volunteers were demanding directly from the voters or asking the judges. So guess it’s a moot point.
As long as it got straightened out, that is what’s important.
- Ken_in_Aurora - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:29 pm:
=== Why would the Dems tell any Chicagoans to vote straight R? ===
OK, I see - I was thinking this was in response to the report of calls telling the judges they needed more training. My reading error, sorry.
- Just Observing - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:32 pm:
=== @ finally. Poll watchers have the right to ask judges to make sure signatures are verified. I’ve watched polls on many occasions and may question an address if I believe its inaccurate or a signature. ===
I don’t believe they have that right. They are there to:
1. Check-off who has voted; and
2. Be on the look out for general unlawful behavior.
But not to stand over the shoulders of the Judges and object to individual voters.
But they aren’t there to
- jimbo2 - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:47 pm:
Ken: OK, I see - I was thinking this was in response to the report of calls telling the judges they needed more training.
Either the person who arranged the calls was a very stupid Democrat or they were a Republican. Because, the net effect was to prevent people in democratic precincts from voting.
- Snucka - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 12:52 pm:
==Snucka
Chicago has reported results by ward for years even down to the precinct level.==
Thanks. I know Orr doesn’t do that on election night and couldn’t recall if Chicago did. That will be helpful for sure.
- Peoria Guy - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 1:44 pm:
Serious voter intimidation? Dramaqueenery
- Rhino Slider - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 1:46 pm:
Since asking for ID’s is not mandatory, checking signatures is the only safeguard to prevent voter fraud. This is not intimidation, it is ballot integrity.
Generally, there are no Republican election judges in most wards in Chicago, so the Dems fill them up. In theory, a Republican Election Judge SHOULD be Republican so they have an interest in protecting their party. So, in theory, Republican Election Judges should vote for Republicans, but they don’t since they are Democrats.
I think Republicans are well within their rights to demand Republican election judges to be Republican. I would like to hear the call to see exactly what it said.
- No Pain, No Gain - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 1:50 pm:
http://www.elections.il.gov/downloads/electioninformation/pdf/pollguide.pdf
During the day pollwatchers have a right to be near enough to the judges to visually examine the voter’s ballot application to compare the signature on the application with that on the signature verification record, and to observe the judge initialing the ballots.
- Beetlejuice - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 2:02 pm:
No identification, no voter’s registration required for ballot. Then we wonder why we have election issues.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 2:10 pm:
Beetle, when did you have an epiphany on voter ID? Wasn’t an issue in this country, ever, until a few years ago. Wonder what happened?
You really think people go banging around from precinct to precinct, committing one vote/one felony by forging signatures that they don’t know how they even look?
Google “GOP admits voter ID suppression” and read the news from around the country.
Nasty and un-American.
- Under Further Review - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 2:52 pm:
“During the day pollwatchers have a right to be near enough to the judges to visually examine the voter’s ballot application to compare the signature on the application with that on the signature verification record, and to observe the judge initialing the ballots.”
Years ago, this used to be standard practice when the actual precinct binders with voter cards were in the polling places. It has to be harder to do with the actual cards being replaced by booklets with signature reproductions.
- Reader - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 3:00 pm:
@phocion,
“Rich, thanks for asking Ms. Bittner to clarify. As a result, it seems the claim of “statewide” “serious voter intimidation” was in reality a few uninformed poll watchers in a few precincts who asked for id, which they weren’t entitled to. Problem solved, except for Emily Bittner’s credibility.”
Whatever plays to the victim base.
- Del Clinkton - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 3:31 pm:
Since voter fraud is a huge problem, time for Caucasian Americans to submit to a DNA sample or Retina Scan prior to voting. Too much voter fraud in the Republican Party.
- Downstate Weed Chewing Hick - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 3:33 pm:
My signature has been verified against a sample every time I have voted. It used to be in a paper book but today it was an image of my signature on a computer screen that the Judge checked before giving me a ballot. And Im not a target of a GOP voter integrity effort, nor is my overwhelmingly Republican precinct. Is there something wrong with signature verification? Assuming of course you dont target by race or gender or whatever.
- Kasich Walker, Jr. - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 4:01 pm:
I’m not sure why the judges would be called “incompetent” when it’s the machines that jam and can’t read the ballots.
Either way, there is no longer a need for the one day madness.
I’d like to see the entire nation go the way of Oregon and turn to voting by mail. Those without addresses would be eligible for early voting at designated locations up to and including the vote counting day.