59 Comments - Steve Rogers - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:19 am: Of all of the things to be worried about, voter integrity doesn’t even make my top 10, maybe even my top 20. - Demoralized - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:20 am: The only people concerned about voter integrity are those who have and continue to push the “Big Lie.” Audits all over the country have proven that there isn’t a problem with “voter integrity.” Idiots. - Local Person - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:24 am: There’s two options here: either downstaters hangout in Edgewater all Election Day and get annoyed with the hippies or they hangout in Bronzeville and get some decent food. At the end of the day they’ll still be sad they lost an election - vern - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:24 am: If that’s actually their Election Day plan, it’s literally the worst I’ve ever heard of. They’re going to make their best volunteers drive for hours to JB’s best precincts then sit inside watching people vote for JB? Nobody is going to turn out Bailey voters or pitch undecideds walking in? Alright, I’m officially calling it. ILGOP is engaged in a Political Dadaism project. They’ve decided that winning elections is gauche and bourgeois. - Dance Band on the Titanic - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:26 am: People in Effingham are going to drive all the way north to poll watch in Englewood? Yeah, okay, sure. - Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:27 am: Bailey’s poll watchers are easy to spot. They’re the ones with ketchup on their hotdogs. - Larry Bowa Jr. - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:28 am: No doubt all the Baileyites are going to be ready to hop on a bus at 3am on election day to be there when the polls open in Cook County. Totally gonna happen. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:29 am: Think on this: It’s one thing to favor voter suppression, even legalized voter suppression… She thinks voter intimidation is important and will matter. You think and old, angry, white, “downstater” is gonna hell intimidate anyone? The in-law uncle is already ignored by people that know him. - Sonny - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:29 am: We are a welcoming city - Obamas Puppy - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:30 am: The Xenia mafia - lollinois - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:31 am: These are also the people who believe downtown Chicago is basically a warzone of constant gunfire, so I’m sure they’ll be feeling very comfortable and able to do their best work in the city. - H-W - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:32 am: Bailey said two days ago that his campaign had identified 2,000+ problematic precincts that needed poll watchers. If 2,000 precincts are problematic, then perhaps Bailey needs to call in the National Guard. I mean, 2,000+ precincts that are problematic suggests a serious problem that has never in the history of forever, ever manifested itself in the history of recounts. - Highland IL - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:32 am: The GOP County Clerk candidate clerk in Madison County is showing the “2000 Mules” movie because she too believes the big lie. These people believe Trump won Illinois. Be prepared for the fallout when Bailey and the rest of the GOP ticket get thumped in November. Peggy Hubbard is still crying about Salvi and the GOP establishment stealing the primary election from her. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:33 am: ===We are a welcoming city=== Kinda helps in redefining “sanctuary city”, all these folks coming “up”… here to intimidate and harass… yet, she wants them welcomed. That’s fun. I don’t think having the in-law uncles of central and southern Illinois will work the way they think. Isn’t the goal… to suppress turnout? Isn’t a visible intimidation a motivation *to* vote. Amateurs. - Henry Francis - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:33 am: If Bailey’s supporters are working at precincts far away from their own, how are they going to vote? By mail? I thought those votes were ripe for fraud? Agreed with Vern above. Bailey isn’t trying to win this election. He is trying to win the (tiny) hearts and (tiny) minds of the MAGA/Eastern Blocheads. - Herbflus - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:33 am: As a former Chicago precinct poll watcher, I can categorically say that the Bailey team is incompetent if their intent is to have downstate people poll watch Chicago precincts. It’s a waste of resources and money. - NIU Grad - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:36 am: If they can find parking after driving into these Chicago neighborhoods for the first time in their lives, I’ll be impressed. The Bailey team needs to include packets on “How to Parallel Park” in those packets. - Stormsw7706 - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:36 am: Already explaining away the destruction of the Illinois Republican Party come November. I’m going to volunteer (downstate voter here) to go to the Bears game to make sure the game is scored correctly. If they lose I’ll be able to call out the fraud - Lakefront - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:40 am: ==People in Effingham are going to drive all the way north to poll watch in Englewood? Yeah, okay, sure. == No worries everyone - I hear he’s sending all his best volunteers to Edgefield Park - a lot of fraud goes on up there - Dysfunction Junction - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:41 am: =We have so many volunteers signed up to be poll watchers in Chicago, they are ready to come up from Downstate to keep an eye on what’s happening.= Please advise them to wear their Sunday-go-to-church clothes and their finest jewelry. If you want to be important, you have to look important. Also, street parking is encouraged for out-of-town guests, though poll watchers can park in any commercial lot for free. Stick to the speed limit in the leftmost lane of the expressways, regardless of how close the person behind you is driving. Welcome to Chicago. - Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:42 am: Ah, the old “rigged election” gambit. When Bailey loses, he’ll be able to foist the Medium Lie on the MAGAhats: “Woulda won but the election was rigged. Told you before it happened. I’m the rightful governor, folks.” - The Captain - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:43 am: Those poll watchers are going to be watching paint dry. A large number of Chicagoans will have voted before election day. - jimbo - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:43 am: Downstaters coming to poll watch- Remember, don’t drive your pickups on boulevards, and bring money for parking. - Big Dipper - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:47 am: Imagine the arrogance of those who think that any votes that they disagree with “must” be fraudulent. - TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:49 am: This quote isn’t even the funniest thing said in that linked clip. - Pundent - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:05 pm: Yesterday Ms. Trussell said that voters don’t care about abortion. Today she’s saying that voter integrity is what they’re concerned about. Is the ILGOP even trying at this point? - Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:08 pm: Just wait til they learn about the parking meters. - Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:08 pm: Can’t wait for the folks from Effingham to navigate the intersection at Chicago, Ogden, and Milwaukee Avenues. They’ll lose their minds. With I90 overhead and the Blue Line nearby…what a day in the city. - Vote Quimby - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:09 pm: Wow. Taking 2,000 volunteers away from GOTV efforts to sit all day in Chicago precincts? I wonder how many will be open carrying? /s - H-W - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:11 pm: To his credit, Bailey did get about 2 dozen people to show up at the Awake Illinois rally at the state capitol a few weeks ago. Maybe they will show up again in Chicago. Two dozen poll watchers, 2,000 precincts, and a lot of energy drinks. That should work. - Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:20 pm: Chicago polling places have valet parking, don’t you know. Just hand your keys to the “attendant” outside. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:24 pm: When 17 or so show up… “We had 2,000, like 3,000 actually, but ‘our people’ work and couldn’t get time away” - Stephanie Trussell, Election Day, “probably “ - thisjustinagain - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:30 pm: “Troll watchers” you said, Rich? And to Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 11:27 am, about ketchup on hotdogs. You can take MY ketchup off MY hotdog when you pry it out of my warm, living hand. ‘Murica (banned punctuation). - Skeptic - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:39 pm: “The Bailey team needs to include packets on “How to Parallel Park” in those packets.” And what a chair signifies. Ok, so all these downstaters are coming up to watch the polls…does that mean in-person voting isn’t such a vital thing after all? - Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:40 pm: I believe the Bailey volunteers will chicken out. - Norseman - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:45 pm: This will be interesting. Chicago election officials will not tolerate MAGA GOP poll watchers attempt to intimidate voters or disrupt the process. - Save Ferris - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:47 pm: Wait until these people get on the bus in Decatur and find out they’ve been sent to Texas to be under the care of Greg Abbott. - Roadrager - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:53 pm: ==Chicago polling places have valet parking, don’t you know. Just hand your keys to the “attendant” outside.== Actually, due to pandemic protocols and an effort to minimize close contact, this is no longer required. Just leave your car running out front with the keys inside, and someone will take care of you in short order. - Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:54 pm: Some neighborhoods in Chicago require residential parking permits. Even if the spot is open, unless there is a permit , no parking is allowed. Wonder how many vehicles from Downstate will end up in the Auto Pound on Lower Wacker Drive. Bring cash, folks. - Highland IL - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 12:58 pm: Darren better let those poll watchers know about JB’s Parking Garage Tax. - Publius - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 1:12 pm: The only people worried about this are those who are going to loose. - Papa2008 - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 1:15 pm: Complete waste of time. As someone once said “let them all vote, I just want to count the vote”. If you’re going to buy into the “Big Lie”, at least understand what part of the process needs to be watched. - Flapdoodle - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 1:17 pm: The self-righteous arrogance of Bailey’s people in assuming it’s up to them to ensure the integrity of the election — it’d be risible weren’t so infuriating. But let them swarm northward in their dozens. As disorganized as the Bailey campaign hast been, they’re more likely to circle aimlessly with Waze or their GPS units before giving up and heading to the outlets. - Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 1:36 pm: =Those poll watchers are going to be watching paint dry. A large number of Chicagoans will have voted before election day.= And then they’ll use that as evidence that no one in Chicago voted and of course Beetle won - Teacher Lady - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 1:42 pm: There are “so many” volunteers to be poll watchers? Unless they “watch” in their own precinct, they will have to vote early or by mail. Oh, wait - they only believe in voting on Election Day and in person. How will they manage to vote downstate on Election Day, and also be a poll watcher in northern IL? - SAP - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 2:13 pm: Reminder: No concealed carry in the polling places. - OneMan - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 2:21 pm: Used to have a couple of folks out here in dogpatch, one older woman in particular who was convinced that buses of people from Chicago came out to vote in Aurora. Would try and explain to her how that wasn’t happening and how hard it would be to pull that off. Could never get her to buy that. If these folks want to visit the city and be bored out of their gourds, more power to them. I suspect we will see them out in Aurora. - Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 2:24 pm: The folks from Downstate might be overwhelmed with city traffic, taxis, sharing streets with CTA busses, and let’s not forget about bike lanes. Time would be well spent at the Museum Campus rather than the polls. - Drip - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 2:31 pm: From Effingham County I have mailed my application for a ballot. It is going to be a drip of a vote for J B in this county. But it will still count against Bailey. - zatoichi - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 3:04 pm: Local polling place is in a church lobby. 3 tables (dounts/coffee and two tables with three elderly ladies each who check your name/give a ballot), two guys (one points where to vote/the other stands by the ballot scanner), and maybe 6 chairs. What are the watchers gonna watch? The tension is unbearable. - Politix - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 3:11 pm: Why volunteer to poll watch when you can be an election judge and ensure voter integrity that way? I imagine at least some of those 2,000 “problem precincts” could use judges. - Annon3 - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 3:28 pm: Who is picking up the tab for all these people? So they are going to spend their own money to drive up, a couple of nights at a hotel, get trained, and then poll watch. Good for the IlGOP who knew they had that much $ and that many volunteers. Glad they stepped up their ground game. - Ida Know - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 4:07 pm: I probably won’t do, but I’m tempted to drive down to Darren B’s home town, show up at his polling place and announce that I’m there as a poll watcher from Chicago, just making sure there’s no hanky panky going on. - Department of Finance - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 4:26 pm: – If they can find parking – The City of Chicago welcomes these anticipated revenue sources. - Tominchicago - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 4:50 pm: Ida Know. Be sure to get your poll watcher credentials. I am sure you can get them from JBs campaign. - btowntruth from forgottonia - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 6:01 pm: “That’s how Virginia won.” Wrong answer. Among other things Youngkin managed to sway enough independent leaning voters into voting for him. Had ZERO to do with poll watchers. - MisterJayEm - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 6:33 pm: “We have so many volunteers signed up to be poll watchers in Chicago. They are ready to come up from Downstate to keep an eye on what’s happening.” So Darren Bailey’s downstate supporters who couldn’t afford the fuel to get to Springfield for his State Fair rally can now afford to drive all the way up to Chicago? Looks like Bailey owes Joe Biden a big thanks for substantially lowered gasoline costs. – MrJM - 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 9:46 pm: If they pull this off, it will represent the most significant ILGOP precinct operation since the Lincoln era. 2000 Republican poll watchers? In Chicago? Lol, bring it. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 1, 22 @ 10:01 pm: ===If they pull this off=== I’d be impressed if they knew where and how to get a list of polling places. (Hashtag) Baby Steps Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.