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Late afternoon roundup, a Mayor Daley caption contest, plus our commenter live-blogging continues

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* Y’all can keep track of the Chicago Current exit polling if you want, but their numbers are so low that I’m not gonna update them any longer. No offense to CC. It was a worthwhile endeavor. But 12 precincts in Cook County ain’t much.

* I mentioned this in comments earlier, but I’m almost hoping for a little Karmic justice for the Democrats today. If some supreme Democratic goofballs unexpectedly win because of the low turnout, general disinterest and - most importantly - way too early date of this primary [and it’s compressed schedule], then Karma will have been appropriately meted out because the House Democrats, in particular, refused to move this thing back to March where it belongs. As a policy, I don’t wish any party ill will, which is why I wrote “almost,” but this is just ridiculous.

* From Patrick Hughes’ Twitter account

Good turnout in counties favoring us over Kirk, e.g. Carroll & McHenry

Carroll County? You mean that county with a total population of under 17,000? This is the big strategy?

* I’m not sure when Langdon Neal said this, or where he’s been, but I’m not getting the impression so far that there’s a “growing interest” out there. He’s the expert, though, so we’ll see…

“There’s seems to be a growing interest in the election from the voters. So, we’re hoping to reverse the trend and see a larger turnout from voters than we usually have for a primary election,” said Langdon Neal of the Chicago Board of Elections Commission.

Numbers are horrible in Sangamon County, but expected to improve…

Sangamon County Clerk Joe Aiello says that as of early afternoon today, the percentage of voters going to polling places in the county seems to range from about 7 to 13 percent.

He said he expects that total to top 20 percent with the coming after-work crowd.

25 percent was the statewide turnout in 2006. The Tribune has a good graph to put all this into context…

From the Post-Dispatch

“We’re looking real light, maybe 15 percent turnout,” predicted St. Clair County Clerk Bob Delaney. That’s on the low side of average for St. Clair. The statewide average for primaries is higher (around 25 percent for off-year primaries, says the State Board of Elections), spurred largely by Chicago. But local media up here are reporting almost in unison today how measely the turnout has been at the polling places so far.

There’s likely a few things at play. It could be that a lot of people took advantage of the early voting system available this year, so it only looks like turnout is down. And the usual after-work spike in voting could still push the numbers to better than average. Also, it’s a cold, overcast day in Chicago, which, like the rest of the state, is used to voting in early spring, not mid-winter.

Paul Green, political scientist at Chicago’s Roosevelt University, has a simpler explanation: That despite all the breathless media declarations about the importance of these primaries, what average voters are seeing are average candidates.

“There’s not an Obama or a (Chicago Mayor Richard) Daley running — no bigger-than-life figure,” said Green. “None of these candidates would need a bodyguard to walk down Michigan Avenue.”

Ain’t that the truth.

* Champaign County

Just got off the phone with Champaign County Clerk Mark Shelden who says that voter turnout today appears to be very low. That’s what I’m hearing from others in the community.

He said we’d be lucky to get a 20 percent turnout today (the 2006 numbers) and that it could be as low as the 1986 non-presidential primary percentage of 17.5 percent.

* Mayor Daley caption contest!

# ryancudney: Best photo yet of a politician voting http://bit.ly/bHGR1T [They changed the link, so I did, too.]

* More of my retweets

# RutherfordDan: precinct committman in Kane County tells me his precinct is projecting only 5 to 6% turnout

# ramsincanon: I really think the shifting patterns in the Cook and inner DuPage, Lake, and Will burbs are the deciders for lots of these elections.

# ramsincanon: If @hoffman4il were to pull off an upset of @alexi4illinois, it’ll be because of reflexive anti-Chicago-Dem-Machine vote in Cook Suburbs.

# BrianMcDaniel: At 3:15 PM, only 91 of 865 have voted in my precinct. Rs - 56 Ds - 35

# kiyoshimartinez: Man, even the polling places in Logan Square are kinda hipster-ish.

# kiyoshimartinez: My polling place keyed my card for a Democrat ballot. Had to take it back & say “Um, I know this is rare, but I want to vote Republican.”

# kiyoshimartinez: I dunno if it’s because I pulled a Republican ballot, but I was NOT offered an “I voted” sticker.

# bmeyerson: As school gets out in Schaumburg, students and parents dwarf the few voters.

# AdrianCurrent: Handed a survey, a woman says, “I don’t remember who I voted for.” This was a few seconds after she voted.

# BrianMcDaniel: Turnout’s so low that the #ILPrimary may rest with eastern DuPage where most of the Gubernatorial candidates live.

# AdrianCurrent: A woman walks toward a polling place, asking, “Can I have some propaganda?”

# Suntimes: Conspicuously absent in this election day photo gallery? Voters. http://bit.ly/9tJCXx Light turnout today. Get on it, folks!

# Suntimes: RT @ascorzo: @Suntimes I’m working one of the polls today, we’ve only had 21 people vote so far.

# ilreports: With Illinois voters deciding his fate Quinn signs Funeral/Burial Funds Act/Cemetery Sales Act http://ow.ly/138rc & http://ow.ly/138rJ

# juggernautco: Field report: one Winnetka polling place has turnout at 35% at 1:30PM

# tracyswartz: which candidates were at your #cta stop? http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/redeye/2010/02/which-candidates-were-at-your-cta-metra-stop.html

# Illinois_Stage: The low turnout so far is no surprise, especially in McLean County, officials say. http://bit.ly/c19poH

# kategardiner: I’m at Metropolis. It is a polling place. No one is voting. Cafe is jammed otherwise.

# johnfritchey: I’ll be on Channel 7 news at 4p.m. answering questions about my opponents low-road, bush league campaign tactics.

# tonyperaica: Voter Turnout is Very Low, could be under 20%:Early returns: Illinois voters disgruntled http://bit.ly/8YJ3BM

# IllinoisIGPA: IGPA experts on the air election nite: Rick Winkel on WCIA and WDWS; Michael Cheney and Brian Gaines on WDWS. Kent Redfield on WUIS.

# Brooke22: Dear ADD, please go away- stop distracting me with blogs and Google searches on the Illinois primary, & let me work in peace.

* Do you have anything new to tell us about what’s going on in the field? Good job so far.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 3:53 pm

Comments

  1. You really need to upload Mother Tribune’s on-line photo of King Richard II, being helped in the voting booth by the election judge.

    I am not sure whether he was struggling with the technology; or for whom to vote, or both, LOL but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

    For everything else there is MASTERCARD, bit that photo is PRICELESS!

    Comment by Quinn T. Sential Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 3:58 pm

  2. Dude, I did. Check the “caption contest” link.

    Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:00 pm

  3. McKenna is the anti-Dillard, and Dillard is the anti-McKenna. I expect them to be in a dead heat with Brady and Ryan far behind. I have no idea where Andrzejewski finishes, other than way ahead of Proft. Could be fifth. Could be first.

    Comment by T.J. Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:00 pm

  4. Caption Contest…

    Mayor daily sighs again when pondering the Quinn/Hynes conundrum…

    Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:00 pm

  5. Daley, thinking to himself as an election judge checks the equiptment …

    “Oh man, it was easier when we just stole these elections instead of actually voting….”

    Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:03 pm

  6. The Wednesday Journal is reporting that turnout in River Forest seems slightly up from 4 years ago. This may be a good omen for Oak Park too. (There are two heavily contested races for circuit court vacancies).

    Comment by Oakparker Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:05 pm

  7. “It’s an understandable mistake, Mr. Mayor, but I think I’m going to have to call someone to get your ATM card out of the voting machine.”

    Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:05 pm

  8. Actually, the primary belongs in September. I’ve decided I like Minnesota’s short campaign season; people are focused.

    Comment by Angry Chicagoan Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:07 pm

  9. Turn out is low, but are there any indications Rich that the downstate turnout is slightly bigger than the northern turnout, which could favor Brady for Gov?

    Comment by GOP4EVER Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:08 pm

  10. “You’re sure it says REPUBLICAN?

    Allright now how do we get that out of there; where is the big eraser for this thing? I don’t know any of those people, how I am supposed to vote for somebody I don’t know?

    I DEMAND A DO OVER!

    Comment by Quinn T. Sential Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:09 pm

  11. From Springfield: Just got home, found a Hynes flyer in the door and just got a robo call from the Hoffman camp.

    Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:10 pm

  12. “I dunno. It looks to me like he clearly held onto the pass as he broke the plane and crossed the goal line. Then again, I don’t have my glasses. I can’t believe I lost my glasses. It’s the big game and I don’t have my glasses.”

    “Um, Mr. Mayor? This isn’t a replay booth. It’s a voting booth.”

    “Oh. Sorry. Got any pie?”

    Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:11 pm

  13. Rich,

    Amen on the February 2nd point. This clearly needs to be a top tier reform issue because all this does is favor machine backed candidates at the expense of newcomers and reformers (Toni Preckwinkle notwithstanding - she’s supported by Daley anyway).

    It’s an outrage and we are likely to get some loonie tunes on both sides of the aisle.

    Also, I WISH the media would stop reporting that the primary was moved for Barack. That was a cover story and we all know it. It was moved for Mike Madigan to have more control.

    Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:11 pm

  14. Caption:
    “Yes, Mr. Mayor, it’s really spelled P-R-E-C-K-W-I-N-K-L-E.”

    Comment by phocion Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:11 pm

  15. LOL @ Rich.

    Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:12 pm

  16. i was just told by someone who voted, turnout in Sugar Grove is very high.. “line out the door”.. “one of the judges says its been that way all day”

    Comment by The Court Jester Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:13 pm

  17. == “Oh. Sorry. Got any pie?” ==

    ummm pie

    Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:13 pm

  18. Rich — the turnout in 2006 and 1998 was below 30% and they voted in March. The date has nothing to do with it. This year’s will probably be in the same 25-30% range. Half the votes cast generally come in after 3pm and there was no early voting in 2006 or 1998 so we won’t know turnout numbers until tallies come in — and absentees will still dribble in for 2 weeks. That’s also a change; they only have to be postmarked by election day now, they used to have to arrive at the Clerk’s office by election day. Primary turnout in off-years is always a let-down from the Presidential election it follows.

    Comment by ZNorm Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:14 pm

  19. In my precinct, in the 46th Ward in Chicago–Uptown, as of two hours ago only 80 something folks had voted.

    That ain’t a high number. In fact to quote Bart Simpson it “both sucks and blows”.

    I did vote for Figueroa for Cook County Assessor.

    TAKE THAT TOM TUNNEY WITH ALL YOUR ANNOYING ROBOCALLS FOR BERRIOS!

    My prediction for tonight.

    I will be ultimately disappointed.

    Voting: The triumph of hope over experience.

    Comment by IrishPirate Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:14 pm

  20. “But I really wanted to vote for Scott Brown.”

    Comment by Bakersfield Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:15 pm

  21. Caption Contest:

    “How do I get to the admin screen so I can change — er, I mean see — the vote totals? They promised me there would be an admin screen.”

    Comment by Just a Reader Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:15 pm

  22. “Wait…I know I pressed O’Brien, so why does it say Bush?”

    Comment by jerry 101 Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:16 pm

  23. Oak Parker, the turnout in River Forest is slightly up because they have a controversial tax increase on the ballot.

    Comment by phocion Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:16 pm

  24. I hear the New Trier HS ballot item is bring them out there. I imagine that helps Hoffman.

    Comment by Niles Township Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:17 pm

  25. Mr. Mayor, sir, I’m afraid the machine jams if you try to put more than ten ballots in at a time.

    Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:17 pm

  26. Yes, there was early voting in 2006. And I don’t know anybody predicting a 25-30 percent statewide turnout right now.

    Also, it’s not just the turnout. Not at all. It’s not the weather.

    It’s the horribly compressed schedule.

    Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:19 pm

  27. “I’m sorry, Mr. Mayor, you really can’t play Guitar Hero on this machine.”

    “Mr. Mayor, even if you could tune in Channel 9, Bozo’s Circus has been off the air for years now.”

    “No, I double-checked, Mr. Mayor. You’re definitely not running for anything this year.”

    Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:19 pm

  28. “Miss, could you help me? I think the jukebox is broken again. I put my dollar in but it won’t play my song.”

    Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:20 pm

  29. Court Jester, Sugar Grove has a referendum on the ballot having to do with raising property taxes to pay the operating expenses of the new library. maybe that explains the large crowds.

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:20 pm

  30. Daley to himself …”oooff! is that really how I voted, I need to lay down.”

    Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:20 pm

  31. == i was just told by someone who voted, turnout in Sugar Grove is very high.. “line out the door”.. “one of the judges says its been that way all day” ==

    If true that may not be good for Lauzen, may also impact a county board race in Kane.

    Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:21 pm

  32. I don’t have my glasses, could you press Stroger for me?

    Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:21 pm

  33. Darned it. I know Mike and I talked about it, but I can’t remember who we made everyone vote for.

    Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:22 pm

  34. “No, Mr. Mayor, the Shakman monitor is a person.”

    Comment by The Doc Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:23 pm

  35. Miss, I think this machine is broken. Its only letting me vote once.

    Comment by krazymoe Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:23 pm

  36. Best quote of the day is Kitty’s (and mine and everyone else who is being honest). “I have no freakin clue what’s going to happen today.”

    Turnout is down everywhere so the question is where is it the lowest…

    Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:24 pm

  37. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!

    Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:24 pm

  38. “Excuse me, sweeheart, there’s a problem. This machine only permits me to vote once.”

    Comment by The Doc Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:25 pm

  39. “You see Mayor Daley, the first slide was Ald. Medrano, then you see the next one is George Ryan walking out of 320 S. Dearborn … and finally, these is Ike Carothers walking out of 320 S. Dearborn …”

    Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:25 pm

  40. “You’re right, that is a long name, Mr. Mayor, but I don’t Raja is Polish.”

    Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:27 pm

  41. Turn out is always low after a presidential year. Did you ever think that maybe the low turn out may have something to do with the fact that people are thinking they could live with the candidates up for election rather than because they are frustrated?? Frustrated voters go to the polls.

    Comment by youre wrong Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:27 pm

  42. Mayor: “No throwing this one in the river, then?”

    Poll worker: “I think we’ll have to reboot it.”

    Turnout in my word — invisible.

    Comment by Angry Chicagoan Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:28 pm

  43. Another caption: “Miss - do you have any purell? I want to wipe this thing down.”

    Comment by jerry 101 Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:28 pm

  44. Dupage 10-12% on average 3-ish

    Comment by Park Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:29 pm

  45. Voting’s such a hassle. Can’t we just make up the numbers like we used to?

    Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:29 pm

  46. Of course it’s always low after a presidential year. And, like I wrote above and then highlighted to make sure dense folks like yourself would understand, it’s not just the turnout, it’s this goofy compressed schedule. Is that possibly more clear?

    Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:29 pm

  47. Mayor Daley: Too tough to pick between those two, I better flip a coin…damn, I don’t have any change. Excuse me judge, any chance you can spare a quarter?

    Judge: A quarter? Sheeet, ain’t nobody got any quarters no more fool. You know how much it cost to park my car out here? Hey y’all, look who needs a quarter.

    Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:30 pm

  48. “Can I switch to a Republican ballot to vote for the guy that called Mark Kirk names?”

    Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:31 pm

  49. One more caption:

    A poll worker explains to the Mayor that US Attorney for Northern Illinois is not an elected office.

    Comment by jerry 101 Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:31 pm

  50. “Mr. Mayor, I checked the manual. ‘Error 0642′ means that you can’t play video poker on this machine until the City Council passes an ordinance.”

    “Whew, you’re right Mr. Mayor, I’m not sure I recognize any of these jokers either.”

    “You voted for Hoffman? Hell froze over and jammed the machine! Blow harder and maybe it will thaw out.”

    Comment by Vibes Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:32 pm

  51. best one so far “No, I double-checked, Mr. Mayor. You’re definitely not running for anything this year.”

    Comment by anon chicago Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:32 pm

  52. Hold it. Rich, are you saying that it is all because of the weather and low turnout? I think you need to explain it again. /snark

    Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:32 pm

  53. Hey Rich, how much sleep did you get last night? I seem to recall seeing you post on Fritchey’s FB page at 2ish - and yes, I got none either.

    Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:32 pm

  54. Couldn’t sleep. Worked late and then was up until 4. Woke up late at 8:30.

    Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:34 pm

  55. “How do I keep Rahm from taking my job again? Is there a button for that?”

    Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:34 pm

  56. - Caption Contest -

    “No, Mr. Mayor, you can’t privatize the election.”

    Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:34 pm

  57. I’m in the Streeterville/Gold Coast area of downtown Chicago. Mega-highrise district. It’s 4:30, I just voted and was voter number 53.

    Comment by Streeterville Snooks Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:34 pm

  58. You got two hours more than I did. It’s going to be a long night. Though how long will it really take to count 5000 votes statewide?

    Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:35 pm

  59. Field? These statewide campaigns dont know what field is. Poor, poor effort. Especially outside of Chicago. WEAK. I couldnt even get a darn sign let alone volunteer!

    Comment by DemOps Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:35 pm

  60. Referee Daley and an unnamed line judge review the play on the field between Quinn and Hynes. A ruling is expected later.

    Comment by midwesterner Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:35 pm

  61. I just saw Fritchey on tv. We had the sound off but he finally gave up the ghost and got a crewcut!!! Welcome to the ranks to the follickly challenged, John.

    Comment by Bill Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:39 pm

  62. I just heard that Madigan gave Dennis Ahern (running for Bolands old seat in Rock Island) $10,000. Didnt Porter McNiel used to work for him? Madigan doesnt waste money. Is Ahern gonna win?

    Comment by BT Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:44 pm

  63. i know it is hard to read, sir, but it says you can park for two hours.

    Comment by publius Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:46 pm

  64. ===i know it is hard to read, sir, but it says you can park for two hours. ====

    And that’ll be $40, please, sir.

    Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:48 pm

  65. The only people I’ve heard complaining about the early primaries are political junkies and reporters. Both for the same reason, less to write/read about the elections. I suppose I’ve heard a goo-goo or two complain, too, but that’s about it.

    Maybe folks just don’t care? I’m at least hoping that the folks that did show up used the bar ratings to elect decent judges. There’s only so many spots in small claims to put the duds in, after all.

    Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:54 pm

  66. “I’m sorry Mr. Mayor, but it indicates that your credit has been declined. Do you have enough cash to buy this election result?”

    Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 4:57 pm

  67. VM, that was the best one you’ve done in a while. lol

    Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 5:00 pm

  68. “Where do I get to vote for concealed carry?”

    Comment by Keep Smiling Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 5:02 pm

  69. I voted at 4:30 p.m., and I was voter #70 - out of almost 800 registered voters in my precinct. Very, very sad.

    Comment by Pathetic Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 5:16 pm

  70. At the Chatham, IL Community Center at 5 PM there had been 365 people voted out of more than 2,000+. Plenty of parking….

    Comment by LINK Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 5:21 pm

  71. “Are Quinn and Hynes my only choices?”

    Comment by Groundhog Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 5:32 pm

  72. I voted this morning in the west loop - interesting thing there is that 3 of the 5 of us pulled republican ballots…also, had friends texting me today asking all sorts of questions about how to vote in a primary (can i pull a dem ballot if i’m a registered repub?, etc)…i think i’ve read it here before, but it might be beneficial for the media to spend some time on the process - most have forgotten what, if anything they learned in school.

    of course this does not take away from the fact that it is a terribly early primary - just that some publicized education may help people feel more comfortable going in and owning their right to vote.

    and one last nugget - i asked the lit passers (of the few that were there) why they were volunteering for their candidate (running for judge w/a name they couldn’t pronounce) - their response, “for a sorority fundraiser”…classic.

    Comment by NearWest Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 5:37 pm

  73. “Whew, that was tough, thanks for the help. By the way, who’s your clout?”

    Comment by Independent Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 5:43 pm

  74. “Mr. Mayor, are you all right?”
    “Well, I just finished voting and I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit.”

    Comment by the Other Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 5:46 pm

  75. “The only people I’ve heard complaining about the early primaries are political junkies and reporters. Both for the same reason, less to write/read about the elections. I suppose I’ve heard a goo-goo or two complain, too, but that’s about it.”
    I’ve heard PLENTY of people complaining about the early primary and compressed campaign schedule. Everyone from regular voters to election judges. The only thing I’ve heard complained about almost as much today is the new rule requiring poll judges to publicly flog everyone who undervotes. Election judges say it cost $5000 per voting machine to program them to spit out the ones with undervotes on them.Ridiculous!

    Comment by Downst8 Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 5:49 pm

  76. In the special recount, Chicago still doesn’t get the Olympics.

    Comment by Joe Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 5:56 pm

  77. I simply cannot imagine it costing $5,000 to make such a minor modification to the programming. They are already set to spit it out for a variety of things. I think whoever gave that figure may be exaggerating or mistaken.

    Comment by matt Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 6:01 pm

  78. If anything, this low turnout points out the increasing irrelevance of mainstream media, i.e., Chicago Tribune. Despite its repeated requests for revolution, getting out to vote, etc., the reality is most people continue to not care.

    Comment by Helm Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 6:06 pm

  79. “What do you mean Hynes and Quinn are my only choices? For real?”

    Comment by budget boy Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 6:07 pm

  80. Caption

    “Ehhhh…that Symen is tuff. I miss dat…dah…Palaa grrl on Idol.”

    Comment by IS Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 6:08 pm

  81. The compressed schedule is brutal on candidates- the holidays etc. It is brutal on the volunteers- you try talking to people at their door when it is 7 degrees out and it falls when No one seems to be dialed into anything. I can not tell you how many people didnt realize today was election day- They of course all must watch cable…

    Comment by Inish Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 6:17 pm

  82. Mayor Daley”It looks like Quinn fumbled then Hynes recovered then Hynes fumbled then they both recovered.”JUMP BALL!!!!!!!

    Comment by Fester Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 6:34 pm

  83. Voted just before 5 p.m., polling place in downtown Springfield. I was voter #68 for the day. Let’s see, if they’ve been open since 6 a.m. that means they’re averaging less than 6 voters per hour… pretty slow indeed.

    Comment by Bookworm Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 6:40 pm

  84. Northend Springfield I was #91 out of 600+ registered voters at 6:00.

    Comment by dee-dee Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 6:47 pm

  85. The machines work at the first 25 places I voted. What, is there now a limit on the number of times I can vote? I thought it just kicked them out for under votes, Mike didn’t tell me about this..

    Comment by Ashamed to be from Illinois Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 6:55 pm

  86. At my precinct in Wilmette I was the 130th voter (out of about 725 registered) when I went at 1 pm. The judges were surprised when I mentioned there were many reports of abnormally low turnout.

    Comment by way northsider Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 6:56 pm

  87. Turn out in the South Loop, Chinatown and Ward 42 are higher than what’s being reported elsewhere. The Schroeder/Dunkin race may have caught people’s interest in these areas.

    Comment by LouisXIV Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 7:02 pm

  88. We posted an update for the 47th ward, Chicago on cntersquareledger.com. The 16th precinct (across the street from Lisa Madigan’s home) reported 159 plus 26 early out of 522. That’s about 31 percent.

    Comment by Patrick Boylan Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 7:04 pm

  89. “Just put three big “x”’s over the things you don’t like…”

    Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Feb 2, 10 @ 8:25 pm

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