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Dillard demands Rauner stop passing petitions at polling places

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Illinois

* From a press release…

The Dillard-Tracy campaign is calling on Republican candidate Bruce Rauner to stop his paid “volunteers” from soliciting voters at polling places for a term-limits constitutional amendment, an issue Rauner has promoted during his campaign.

“This is unconscionable,” Dillard-Tracy Campaign Manager Glenn Hodas said. “Rauner’s bending the rules, yet again, by stationing paid workers at the doorways of polling places, supposedly to collect signatures for his term limits referendum, but in reality promoting his candidacy.”

Technically, Rauner’s workers aren’t considered to be “electioneering” because they are supposed to be collecting signatures for a referendum. “But this is a political committee Bruce is the Chairman of, and has contributed $250,000 to,” Hodas said. “These are not disinterested workers at the polls.”

Election law prevents campaigns from having staff or volunteers stand within 100 feet of the entrance of a polling place on the day of an election. Hodas said Rauner is skirting the legal prohibition.

“This looks like another slick move by Rauner to bend the rules to get what he wants, at the expense of the integrity of the process,” Hodas said.

They’re right that technically this is not against the law. As long as those petition passers aren’t pushing Rauner’s name at all, it’s legal.

And, in reality, perhaps the best way to get valid petition signatures from registered voters is to go to polling places on election day. So, while it’s distasteful to Dillard’s campaign, this is a smart move on Rauner’s part.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:49 pm

Comments

WHAH!!

Comment by Whatever Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:51 pm
Cash bar at Rauner’s party. Waamburgers and French Cries at Dillard’s.

Comment by So. ILL Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:51 pm
Smart move.. I would say a brillant move actually.

Comment by Mr. Big Trouble Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:52 pm
“By Sundown tomorrow,…” people are going to forget the petitions.

Another slick move by Rauner’s Crew. If Dillard had people in the precincts working, statewide, organized, and engaged, it wouldn’t even matter.

It is what it is.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:52 pm
Having been involved in the heat of campaigns, I understand how Hodas would get all worked up about this. Heck, I’ve been there on election day. But, to just about everyone else, this is going to appear to be silly and over the top on Dillard’s part. No one cares except you.

Comment by phocion Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:53 pm
‘Technically legal’, the best kind of legal!

Comment by Shark Sandwich Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:53 pm
Don’t see any issue as long at the collectors aren’t pushing Rauner.

And anyways, what does Dillard gain from this last second shot at Rauner. It’s not like Rauner is going to retreat or voters will change their minds today because they are outraged at a term limits petition. Dillar’s campaign manager should be focused on getting out their vote rather than issuing such a silly press release.

Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:54 pm
It’s hard for me to believe that these folks don’t slip a mention of the Baron in their solicitation for signatures. There’s legal and there’s playing loose with the law.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:54 pm
===It’s hard for me to believe that these folks don’t slip a mention of the Baron===

I doubt many of them even know much about what’s in the petitions, let alone anything about Rauner.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:55 pm
This is clearly a smart (and expensive tactic) to get around regulations against campaigning at polling places. Part of the plan from day one.

The whole term-limit thing has been nothing more than a campaign tactic for Rauner. I feel for the good folks who were co-opted by his campaign and worked hard on this.

If it has any chance at moving voters, Rauner will buy it.

Comment by Walker Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:57 pm
=== I doubt many of them even know much about what’s in the petitions, let alone anything about Rauner. ===

Agreed.

Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:57 pm
These people are being paid $2/signature and $0/vote, I’m guessing they’re pushing for signatures over votes.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:58 pm
- Norseman -,

The term limits signature collector was hanging around about 120 feet from the polling place entry but hustled down to the spot I parked about 20 feet away to try to push the petition. He quickly backed off when confronted …

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 3:59 pm
–I doubt many of them even know much about what’s in the petitions, let alone anything about Rauner.–

I’d go with that. I don’t see the point of Dillard’s crew bringing it up at 4 p.m.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:03 pm
Wait a minute - so you can solicit signatures at the door of a polling place?
SO I could go solicit signatures for tuffy mufflers email list? - or to join a Nazi sympathizers group?

Man if you have a new business - what a way to market it.

Comment by Moderate Repub Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:03 pm
Quinn did the same thing in 1994 for his Eight is Enough campaign.

Comment by ILPundit Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:04 pm
Does it have to be a legitimate issue? In the general could one be soliciting signatures banning Carhart vests?

Comment by Irish Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:05 pm
Man if you have a new business - what a way to market it.

Considering the pitiful turnout, I can think of about a million better uses of one’s marketing time and money.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:09 pm
=== I doubt many of them even know much about what’s in the petitions, let alone anything about Rauner. ===

They don’t need to. All they need to do is follow the script and collect their check. No pension contribution of course.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:10 pm
Technically legal but not what most folks could do in good conscience.

Comment by one of the 35 Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:10 pm
Question: Is “100′ from the entrance of a polling place” 100′ from the front door of e.g., the library, or 100′ from the interior door of room on the library where the polling place is, so it might be only 10′-20′ from the front door????

Comment by Nonplussed Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:10 pm
They’re Stooges for Bruce, even if they’re only in it for the signature dough.

Get them away from the polling place.

I still don’t understand why anyone would want to vote on election day when they can do it early or mail their ballot from home.

Comment by Hans Sanity Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:11 pm
===All they need to do is follow the script===

And the script, to keep them legal, wouldn’t include a Rauner mention. Several people have commented on these folks in our updates and nobody has said that they’ve pushed Rauner’s name.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:11 pm
I meant interior door of THE room IN the library…

Comment by Nonplussed Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:11 pm
So long as they apply the rule equally to all campaigns, “100′ from the entrance of a polling place” is where ever the election judges say 100 feet from the polling place is.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:14 pm
Obviously, these petitioners don’t have to be 100 feet away, right? Isn’t that Dillard’s problem?
Anyone can electioneer if you are 100 feet away. These guys don’t have that restriction right?

I can see Dillard’s point. Rauner spends millions saying he is for term limits and then people talk about term limits at the polling place. It’s a two and two thing.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:20 pm
FWIW, I’ve always seen the 100 ft for signs, etc. applied from the entrance of my local polling place. That’s a lot easier number to mark off.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:22 pm
Rauner’s name was not mentioned and was not in print on the stuff being passed at my precinct.

OTOH, The passer was within 10 feet of the door and yelling “Term Limits” like he was hustling hotdogs at the ballgame.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:22 pm
Did Brucie pay the same $$ on GOTV?

Comment by D.P.Gumby Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:23 pm
It could actually be hurting rauner at the polls if the petitioners are annoying voters.

Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:25 pm
- D.P.Gumby - Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:23 pm:

He probably would if there was a way to verify it …

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:25 pm
- William j Kelly - Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:25 pm:

The one at our polling place was polite and backed off quickly when we didn’t want to sign the petition.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:27 pm
At the polling place, people stopped to sign the petition and I did hear Rauner’s name mentioned.

Comment by justsayin' Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:30 pm
I’m glad this primary is over, so we no longer have to suffer through the whining from the Dillard campaign. I voted for the guy in 2010, but he has abandoned all dignity and self-respect in this election.

Comment by Frustrated Voter Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:34 pm
The real interesting part (in the petition I saw) was, located at the bottom of the page, the summary mentioned term limits AND increasing the number of State Reps by 3 and reducing the State Senators by some number (I forgot how many).

Comment by anonymous1001 Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:35 pm
Saw a big old Oberweis milk delivery truck in NW Suburban subdivision.. Have never seen one before.

Comment by Milk Man Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:37 pm
Gee, just 4 valid signatures per hr, $2 each, is more than minimum wage. More jobs. Scratch goal one.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 4:57 pm
For what it’s worth:

I was approached by a polite young man with term limit petitions as I arrived to vote at my local polling place (a neighborhood VFW post) around noon. When I told him I wasn’t interested in signing, he thanked me and stepped away. He also wished me a good day as I was leaving. No mention of any candidates.

Charlie Wheeler

Comment by Charlie Wheeler Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 5:03 pm
Come on Rich “smart” how about / unethical too, this guy is a billionaire creep call him what he is.

Comment by Obama's Puppy Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 5:36 pm
===“smart” how about / unethical too===

As another commenter pointed out, Quinn did the same exact thing in 1994. It’s smart.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 5:38 pm
I bow to the well respected field observers who report the petition passers minded their P’s and Q’s. It’s hard to put one’s cynicism aside.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 5:40 pm
The issue here is ALL about electioneering within 100 feet of the entrance, and, if anything, this tactic obviously authorized by Rauner and being carried out by HIS Volunteers–clearly aligned with him and with his Political Committee unilaterally backing both HIM, as well as the Limit Drive–is inCREDibly stupid, and, legally, it could very WELL be interpreted by Election Authorities/State’s Attorneys/ Asst. Atty. Genls. enforcing the Law in such Precincts thatBR could be on thin ice as well. So why would Rauner forces even RISK looking not only dumb, but not in compliance with Election Law and civil rules of fair play?!

Just NOT a smart move on Election Day itself, and, once again, reflective of Rauner’s personal, let alone, Political Naivete, and willingness to wrongly/intentionally commandeer others affiliated with his Campaign, to both intentionally and highly QUEStioniably try and stretch the Rules/Law at any cost! Plus, if BR succeeds today, he’s making NO Friends for the all-important 7 1/2 Months coming up to D-Day on 11-4 with fellow Republicans he will HAVE to have who are now backing other GOP Candidates…!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 5:44 pm
10 ILCS 17-29 a - b The Statute appears to not only prohibit Soliciting Votes but also ” Political Discussion”

Seems trying to get Term Limit petition signed is inherently involves political discussion.

Comment by x ace Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 6:01 pm
The November election is the best day to collect signatures for City of Chicago races.

Comment by Darcy Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 6:22 pm
===“smart” how about / unethical too===

Translation: “I wish my candidate would’ve thought of that”

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 6:23 pm
Again, nothing new about doing this.

Comment by clj Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 6:54 pm
The guy collecting signatures in front of Pottawattomie Park in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood this morning was outside the distance limit and never mentioned “Mitt” Rauner.

He asked me on my way out of the park’s fieldhouse if I’d sign the petition. I asked him what the petition was for. He said term limits. I told him no. Nor, I added, would I vote for Rauner.

Comment by Northsider Tuesday, Mar 18, 14 @ 8:25 pm