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Signs of the times

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Illinois

* Text from a friend in Congressman Dan Lipinski’s district…

There are about 20-30 houses like this. They’re going to be real disappointed when they discover they can’t vote for both.

* The pic…

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 9:53 am

Comments

Reason enough to send Lipinski home.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 9:55 am
Wonder who they will pick?

Comment by ste_with_a_v_en Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 9:58 am
LOL! Imagine the quandary when they show up at the polls on primary day. “Which ballot!? OMG!”

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 9:59 am
That’s yard’s just a clue that a one issue voter lives there and feels very strongly about the issue as a reminder to voters of both parties who may be passing by. It’s probably a futile gesture but is not a stupid gesture.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:01 am
Good argument for open primaries. But neither party wants that because it would take away power.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:02 am
Who do you trust in this situation to get their pluses out? I’d argue Lipinski.

Comment by Conn Smythe Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:03 am
Lipinski needs them more than Ives, if math is a factor.

Twenty households Lipinski loses versus Ives, that trend is not Dan’s friend if they are fooled.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:03 am
“Good argument for open primaries. But neither party wants that because it would take away power.”

Wut?? Illinois has an open primary. But sadly one cannot literally take a Dem and GOP ballot.

Comment by Natty_B Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:04 am
Why have parties if primaries are open? Really silly.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:05 am
==But sadly one cannot literally take a Dem and GOP ballot.==

But imagine the cross-over hate voting. Ives v. Bob Marshall in November.

Comment by PJ Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:05 am
There is nothing sad about not being able to vote in multiple party primaries. Defeats the purpose of a primary.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:06 am
Defeats the purpose of having political parties, sorry.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:07 am
If Ives was a well-known commodity, the cynic in me would say these are Newman supporters trying to lump Lipinski in with Ives

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:11 am
Is it too late for Newman to make that picture her lawn sign? Or Rauner for that matter given Lipinski’s tightness to Madigan? Oh Illinois politics, you are a fascinating mistress.

Comment by TominChicago Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:11 am
You are assuming the folks that live in those house pull the same ballot !

Comment by Texas Red Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:12 am
I think we should have to be a member of a party to vote in a primary. I am a Democrat and could walk into polling station and get a Republican primary ballot.

That is weird.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:14 am
Q: Is it too late for Newman to make that picture her lawn sign?

A: Probably. But not too late for a mail piece. For Newman and for Rauner.

= = =

I betcha Dan Proft runs with this before election day.

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:15 am
Brain cramp - Dan Proft would run with this if he were working with Rauner.

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:15 am
== I am a Democrat and could walk into polling station and get a Republican primary ballot.==

Oh Ron, trust me, you don’t ever want to do that. Then you would get campaign literature and phone calls and robo polls into all eternity from *both* parties and PACs of all ilks.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:19 am
I am a Democrat and could walk into polling station and get a Republican primary ballot.

you would then become a Republican !

Comment by Texas Red Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:20 am
Responsa, ha totally right!

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:23 am
“Why have parties if primaries are open? Really silly.”

Now that is a great question. Why have parties? They now only serve to obstruct.

Comment by Sillies Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:24 am
== Lipinski needs them more than Ives ==

If yesterday’s poll is correct, that’s absolutely true.

But I think the average single-issue voting right-to-lifer’s default behavior is to pull a Republican ballot. If I’m Lipinski I’m hoping for a Tribune poll this week that shows Rauner is blowing Ives out. Better to convince hardcore pro-lifers their vote will matter more in his Dem primary.

Comment by Roman Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:31 am
My wife told me about this guy. Those are lit 5×8s. I’ve also seen a Kaegi and Ives house.

The people I feel bad for are the next door neighbors who have competing Newman and Ives signs. Must make the annual block party a little bit awkward.

Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:39 am
When I was GOP Township Chair in my area which included most of the People’s Republic of Highland Park, we had roughly 6-8 homes that had competing signs from different political parties, usually 10th Congressional. Usually a husband-wife divide.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:40 am
I am not a member of either party, so if you close primaries you are taking away my vote.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:41 am
“I think we should have to be a member of a party to vote in a primary. I am a Democrat and could walk into polling station and get a Republican primary ballot.”

The primary ballot that you pull determines your party, e.g. if you pull a Republican ballot, under Illinois law, you are a Republican. Cullerton v. Du Page County Officers Electoral Board, 384 Ill. App. 3d 989 (2008)

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:41 am
I guess the once widely accepted notion that both parties can and should be big tents is over, huh?

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:43 am
Actually, the argument of “people should be able to vote in both primaries” is not too far off the mark, since both major parties have worked to institutionalize themselves unto state and federal government, and thus they owe “we the people” a greater role in shaping their policies and people. Some states allow cross voting by nonpartisan blanket primaries.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:48 am
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:41 am:

I am not a member of either party, so if you close primaries you are taking away my vote.

Well, that would be your choice.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:50 am
misterjayem, no one should need to be a member of the Party. Not just show up at a polling place.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:52 am
===Better to convince hardcore pro-lifers their vote will matter more in his Dem primary.===

In that district, that’s so true.

This is not good for Lipinski on the flip side. Need the household to come out…

===Usually a husband-wife divide.===

On the issues they agree (Ives and Lipinski) a divided house pulling opposite ballots, not the best way to run up pluses, on issues that could make a difference.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:54 am
@ Responsa Lip is not simply pro-life, he is very socially conservative. I am all for a big tent but being anti-marriage equality and anti-immigrant, combined with anti-abortion is just too far right. Maybe if Lip were charming and impressive in other respects, many of his liberal constituents would accept his outdated policies. Lip seems like a nice man and a strong Catholic but it is hard to dub him a good rep unless you embrace his pro-life and anti-ACA record.

Comment by Soothsayer Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:54 am
misterjayem, no one should need to be a member of the Party. Not just show up at a polling place.

I don’t know what this means.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:55 am
Saw homes and businesses in the Countryside/Western Springs/Indian Head Park area this morning that in addition to Lipinski and Ives signs also had them for Durkin and Raoul.

Comment by GA Watcher Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 10:57 am
mjm, sorry. One should need to be a member of a party to vote in a primary. Not just show up at the polls and pick.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 11:04 am
Ron, for a primary election in Illinois, when you just show up at the polling place on election day and choose which party’s primary you want to participate in, you have become a member of that party until the next primary election.

Comment by TominChicago Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 11:15 am
I understand that Tom. I just think that is a terrible idea.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 11:20 am
I’m with Ron on this one.

The open general election gives us as citizens the chance to vote for individual candidates from either party, or several parties, who most closely align with our beliefs and needs, then. The closed primary gives parties the best chance to decide what they stand for at that particular time in the context of their long term economic focus– and which party candidates best reflect both that and appeal to the shorter term interests of their respective bases.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 11:21 am
As a Democrat, I don’t want religious whackos choosing my candidate.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 11:26 am
– People’s Republic of Highland Park, –

Yeah, those commie Jews. Good thing those restricted covenants have kept them out of Lake Forest, amirite?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 11:43 am
Clearly those are very Pro Life Homes. They’re also in an area where they’ve been conditioned to work the ballot from bottom to top. Neither Jeanne nor Dan are more Pro Life than the other. The regular GOP voters will vote for Jeanne. The regular Dem voters will vote for Dan. They’re mostly shrewd enough there to know they can’t vote for both.

If you’re R, Ives. If you’re D, Lipinski. I’d proffer it will have no effect in which primary vote anyone takes. Or very few.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 12:04 pm
===Clearly those are very Pro Life Homes.===

Clearly. I think this has more to do with virtue signalling than political support. It’s not about the candidates, it’s about the homeowners.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 12:10 pm
The two party system has destroyed our state and is trying to destroy our country.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 12:15 pm
As an independent, I don’t want non religious whackos picking any candidate.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 12:17 pm
^^^ YEP

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 12:17 pm
That could be my yard, if there were only more weeds and lawn cigars, and if the signs said “Keep off the grass”.
The signs reflect the homeowner’s philosophy. But if they’re smart, they’ll pull a D ballot and vote for Dan; otherwise they’d simply be wasting their vote, Ives has zero chance of winning the general.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 12:19 pm
+++
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 12:17 pm:

As an independent, I don’t want non religious whackos picking any candidate.

- Ron - Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 12:17 pm:

^^^ YEP
+++

I’m almost positive you’re talking with yourself in this exchange.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 1:11 pm
=== I am not a member of either party, so if you close primaries you are taking away my vote. ===

If you want to vote in a primary election for any candidates, not just for referendums, then you must declare a party. That declaration makes you a member of the party you choose. Illinois primaries are open in the sense that voters may freely change their party preference from one election to the next without having to first change registration.

The primary election reform that would increase voter turnout is to keep voters’ party preference as secret as their candidate preference. Most voters like that idea, but party leaders hate it.

Comment by anon2 Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 1:25 pm
For those who feel that you have to be a member of a party to be able to vote in a primary, please tell me how you would prove that at the polling place? Would you have to show a party card? If so, would that card have had to be purchased by membership dues in the party? Both of those would be illegal. One would be Voter ID, and the other could possibly be considered a Poll Tax.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 1:28 pm
Fwiw, in my little slice of central Illinois, Ives signs have recently sprung up like mushrooms after a Spring rain. I have yet to see a Rainer sign.

Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 2:15 pm
What’s the point of a party if you can’t stop people that have no allegiance picking its candidates. Just end parties then.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 2:46 pm
Personally, I would end state provided primary elections and have the parties have mail in ballots. It’s their job to worry about it.

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 2:48 pm
The primary election reform that would increase voter turnout is to keep voters’ party preference as secret as their candidate preference.

that’s nonsense

Comment by Ron Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 2:57 pm
Just a politically mixed marriage. One is probably a Sox fan and the other a Cubs fan as well.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 3:45 pm
Could be a husband a wife who belong to different political parties.

It is not uncommon for Democrats and Republican to get along just fine as long as they aren’t Springfield legislators or anonymous bloggers.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 4:19 pm
–What’s the point of a party if you can’t stop people that have no allegiance picking its candidates. Just end parties then.–

Yah volt.

And no independent labor unions, either.

Berlin 1936.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 5:41 pm
I drive by this house every day (man we all live closer to one another than we realize). I’m calling that dude for Ives - just giving Dan the right wing seal of approval I guess. He had a Trump flag flying from a flagpole last year and then, oddly, an Australian flag shortly after Trump’s Australia phone gaffe.

Comment by Bill F. Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 6:56 pm
^^Oops @6:59. There is NO Rauner headstone. Just Democrats. Spaced a bit.

Comment by Bill F. Wednesday, Mar 7, 18 @ 7:01 pm