Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar


Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives


Previous Post: Credit Unions: A Unique Concept for Financial Services
Next Post: Question of the day

Mid-afternoon precinct reports

Posted in:

[Comments are now closed on this post. Click here for a fresh thread.]

* Background is here if you need it, but the Saline County Clerk is still behaving badly…


Saline Co. Dems tell me Buchanan's office denied them poll watcher credentials so they had to go through the Il Board of Elections. Poll watchers are appointed by parties & other groups to oversee elections to ensure fairness. They say they've never been denied credentials before

— Andrew Feather (@AndrewFeatherTV) November 6, 2018

I’m hearing the same thing. She’s actually been going precinct to precinct to try and kick out the Democratic poll watchers. That’s really bizarre behavior.

More background on this clerk is here and here.

* NBC 5

Chicago officials said they were working to fix issues at precincts in the 42nd Ward and the 5th Ward.

The Chicago Board of Elections confirmed it was going to court to ask a judge to extend voting hours in five precincts in the city. Details on which precincts could be extended weren’t immediately clear.

* A friend of the blog…


You don't need a car to GO the V for Marty Moylan (and JB/Juliana, Kwame, "Stretch" Frerichs, et al) #bikechi pic.twitter.com/eHbUGBql39

— John Amdor (@JohnAmdor) November 6, 2018


* I did not know this

Poshard said he had campaigned in 72 counties for Pritzker and talked about JB and MK’s foundation that feeds more than 200,000 children.

* I’m glad to see the stumbles of the past have been reversed

All Sangamon County polling places opened on time Tuesday morning, and a steady flow of voters were casting ballots, according to County Clerk Don Gray. […]

Meanwhile, Gray said extra voting booths were being sent to at least three locations — St. Agnes Hall, Knights of Columbus No. 364 and Gardner Township Hall.

“We certainly had long lines,” Gray said. “People were anxious to get at it, and because of that, it would help to have a few more resources.” He said he expected the heavy morning turnout to “surface again after work.”

* A Chicago voter is not pleased

Arrived at my polling place at 5:50 a.m. to beat the rush, they were just starting to get organized and unpack stuff, and they did not start trying to check voters in until about 6:30 a.m.

Nothing but elderly poll workers with no tech skills, no experience with electoral process, and poor communications ability.

They started by demanding that already-registered voters register anew, claiming inaccurately that “that’s how they want us to do it,” then fell to arguing among themselves about how to process people as the line grew to 25+ people.

When they started trying again they immediately crashed or paralyzed all their tech — they had not rehearsed or anything and were entirely flummoxed by the check-in interfaces, etc. — and somehow destroyed my wife’s voter record in the process so she could only get a provisional ballot.

* From ISU…


THIS is voter suppression: offering ONE polling location to a campus of 21,000+ students (AND it’s also open to all of McLean County). Students should not have to wait an hour to cast a vote.

We’ve had students calling the McLean Co. Clerk’s office and Kathy Michael County Clerk said, “it’s an election. This just happens.” It does happen, but it shouldn’t.

Posted by College Democrats at Illinois State University on Tuesday, November 6, 2018

* Umm…


Vote naked!

Posted by Sandy and Richard Riccardi on Tuesday, November 6, 2018

* Sun-Times

Of the 1.5 million registered voters in the City of Chicago, 524,808 people had voted as of 12:50 p.m. That’s 34.9 percent of all registered voters hitting the polls before 1 p.m. on Election Day.

Chicago voter turnout numbers by age group reported before 12:50 p.m. on Election Day:

…Adding… GOTV via presidential tweet…


Congressman Randy Hultgren (R) of Illinois is doing a great job. Get out and Vote for Randy - Total Endorsement!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2018


* Tell us what you’re hearing and seeing out there in comments, please. Thanks!

…Adding… Ugh

Election Day 2018: Avowed Nazi and Congressional Nominee Art Jones delivers anti-Semitic rant at his polling place while Simon Wiesenthal Center Advisory Board Members Sean Tenner and Reverend Mitchell Johnson distribute materials about his Nazi background. Simon Wiesenthal was history’s most acclaimed Nazi hunter.

The video

…Adding… From the Chicago Elections Board…

We’re at 633,597 or 41.7% as of 2:50 pm

705,869 ballots were cast in 2010. 668,033 were cast in 2014. 670,222 were cast in 2006.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 1:55 pm

Comments

  1. A nice retirement gift for the Saline Clerk would be a trip to prison.

    Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:03 pm

  2. I’m assuming the Chicago S-T’s numbers include early voting. Is that a good turnout? Bad? I need some comparison for those numbers to mean anything.

    Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:06 pm

  3. It’s time for the Saline County clerk to be arrested

    Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:06 pm

  4. More of a question, it seems like there are more voters over the age of 45 then under in the City. If this holds true for the state, is it good or bad for the dems? The younger voter may be energized but if there are more older voters what’s it mean?

    Comment by BigLou Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:07 pm

  5. Election officials who basically hate that people try to vote is so maddening.

    Comment by In 630 Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:07 pm

  6. Surprised the IL AG or SA isn’t doing more about the Saline County Clerk.

    Comment by Dee Lay Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:07 pm

  7. I was voter #112 in Nameoki Township 5 in Madison County, Illinois. Casted my vote around 12:30PM and voted the usual way I always do.

    Comment by Justin Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:11 pm

  8. In my suburban Cook County precinct at 6:15 am, a similar story of poor training and organization by poll officials–people were emerging saying “complete Cluster *”, people were being asked for IDs, and a staffer didn’t know how to do a provisional ballot (all in about 15 minutes)

    Comment by Molly Maguire Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:11 pm

  9. Bad for the dems Lou—-baaaaaaaaad

    Comment by Pick a Name Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:12 pm

  10. Not much activity at my polling place just now, but there were maybe a few people more than usual. I helped someone do a paper ballot—connect the arrows.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:12 pm

  11. @ Montrose, google is your friend. https://chicagoelections.com/en/election-results.html

    It looks like in 2014 there were 668k ballots, 48.81%, and in 2010 there were 705k ballots, 52.88.

    Considering the day is basically less than half over, I’d think Chicago is set to have more votes than in other midterms, though time will tell.

    Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:17 pm

  12. –wordslinger - has there ever been an election where a down ballot candidate’s coattails pulled out an election for the top of the ticket?–

    Like I said, there was much Jamesons involved.

    Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:20 pm

  13. Check out WSIL TV 3 news coverage of yesterday about what the clerk was doing

    Comment by 13TH Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:20 pm

  14. Just voted here in Madison County. I was voter 199, no lines.

    It was funny hearing an older gentleman ask the judges where was the circle to vote straight Democrat.

    Comment by Highland IL Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:25 pm

  15. Ridiculously windy out here, signs blowing away. Parking lots still busy, but slowed.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:25 pm

  16. One of my nieces recently turned 18 and is going to register to vote today. According to my brother, she is going to vote for the “blue team”.

    Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:27 pm

  17. Why is President Trump encouraging people to vote for Underwood?

    Comment by SAP Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:27 pm

  18. ===The younger voter may be energized but if there are more older voters what’s it mean?===

    Younger are more likely to not be registered, so that will drive difference in the above data.

    Comment by njt16 Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:28 pm

  19. @Perrid Thanks, but I wanted to know how the numbers compared for the same point in time, not overall. That data may not exist.

    Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:32 pm

  20. Wow, that’s a big line at Bone Student Center. That’s unacceptable.

    Comment by Archpundit Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:33 pm

  21. ==Why is President Trump encouraging people to vote for Underwood?==

    Maybe he thinks it’s Frank Underwood?

    Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:34 pm

  22. Trump tweeting for Hultgren?

    Roskam must be taken as “lost”?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:36 pm

  23. Congrats to Marty for getting Freddy Mercury to stump for him.

    Comment by BearFighter Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:37 pm

  24. The remedy for the Saline County Clerk is first removal from office which I believe the AG can take action to start or the county officials. Criminal charges are a different level, but given the links that might be possible too. That she has just refused to a monthly financial report because she says its an illegal mandate is not how the law works.

    Comment by Archpundit Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:42 pm

  25. I voted in Kane (Geneva) was a steady crowd but no lines. They said they had been very busy
    Was odd when went to sign in they gave me a register to vote card. Told me to use that even though I am registered and then asked for my drivers license. I told them no do not need
    I D they let me vote.

    Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:42 pm

  26. Hey Chicago voter. Bite us. Me and approx 20 like minded mid seventies folks spent 10 tough hours yesterday setting up and will do the same tomorrow tearing down
    . Why dont you do something civic minded and be an election judge.

    Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:42 pm

  27. Blue Dog Dem — by mid-seventies folks do you mean age or bell-bottoms?

    Comment by Ok Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:51 pm

  28. All these stories about Kane officials asking about party affiliation and requiring ID and requesting re-registration tell me one thing - The fix is in on Kane and a court should order a re-vote.

    Comment by Streamwood Retiree Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:54 pm

  29. “Ridiculously windy out here, signs blowing away. Parking lots still busy, but slowed.”

    Wait, so after all that, it turns out the big sign stealer was God???

    Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:56 pm

  30. Voter suppression if you have to wait in line to cast a ballot? It may represent poor planning, but seriously, the College Democrats want to call this suppression?

    I rather doubt all of the ISU students were registered to vote from their campus residences as opposed to their homes either.

    If someone was pressed for time and did not utilize the numerous and convenient methods for early voting, he or she does not get much sympathy from me.

    Comment by Practical Politics Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 2:58 pm

  31. The GOP must be very proud of their nominee.

    Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:01 pm

  32. A simple proposal:

    To speed up the lines, just get more pop-up booths. Or size the amount of pop-up booths each year to the length of the ballot.

    Every precinct I have seen today (Chicago) with long lines has been exceedingly short on pop-up voting booths. 5 booths in my precinct this morning that had 45-minute to 1.25 hour lines all morning. Constant flow. Everyone waiting for a booth, not to check in.

    It took me 8 minutes to fill out the ballot with ink and paper for all these judges and referenda. And I knew how I was voting.

    @ 5 booths and 8 minutes per voter, that is only 37.5 voters per hour. If people only took 5 minutes to fill it out, that is a peak capacity of 60/hour, but then they are likely skipping the judges or just quickly selecting answers. The pace of voters during morning rush was 50/hr.

    Double the number of booths there (to account for a ballot twice the size)… no line.

    Comment by Ok Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:06 pm

  33. ===Wait, so after all that, it turns out the big sign stealer was God???===

    Or Mother Nature, suburban soccer mom?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:06 pm

  34. No Presidential tweet for Rauner or Harold?

    Comment by 17% Solution Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:08 pm

  35. =====Double the number of booths there (to account for a ballot twice the size)… no line.

    One way to do this is have tables with separators. In some places you are also given the option of just sitting at a table to fill out your ballot if you are not personally as concerned about privacy.

    Comment by Archpundit Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:11 pm

  36. At least it’s an easy Nazi hunt.

    Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:13 pm

  37. ==If someone was pressed for time and did not utilize the numerous and convenient methods for early voting, he or she does not get much sympathy from me.

    I’m willing to give the Clerk the benefit of the doubt that this wasn’t purposeful, but it is the Clerk’s job to make voting efficient for the voters who she serves. While early voting is great, those who vote on election day should be able to vote in a reasonable amount of time.

    Comment by Archpundita Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:13 pm

  38. The Art Jones footage is a good example why I will never vote Republican as long as I live. To paraphrase Andrew Gillum, it’s not that all Republicans are racist, but racists believe it’s their party.

    Comment by Actual Red Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:19 pm

  39. @Archpundita:

    It must be old age getting the better of me, but I remember when lines to vote were the norm (in the morning and evening for certain) and everyone was expected to vote on the exact same day. Absentee ballot procedures were restrictive and you had to complete an affidavit explaining why you were unable to vote in precinct. Early voting did not exist (apart from designated nursing homes). Today, there are numerous opportunities to vote early and anyone can apply to vote by mail. I served as an election judge and it always astonished me how voters would complain about having to wait to check in or for a polling booth to open. Most of the people were clueless about how much planning it takes to set up a polling place before the polls open and how the election authorities have to operate on a budget. Of course, we would always have angry voters who showed up late after the polls had closed and were irate that the doors had been locked.

    Comment by Practical Politics Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:22 pm

  40. Between 12:50 and 2:50, Chicago went from 524,000 to 633,000 votes cast. Seems to me we are on track to pass the 705,000 total from 2010.

    Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:23 pm

  41. “Voter suppression if you have to wait in line to cast a ballot? It may represent poor planning, but seriously, the College Democrats want to call this suppression?”

    I don’t know if this is an example of it, but yes, a tried and true method of voter suppression is limiting polling places to create massive lines, thus forcing people to lose wages in order to vote. Just look at Dodge City Kansas. A bright blue town. They have only one polling place which they moved a mile outside of town and far away from any public transit. Yea, that was classic voter suppression.

    Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:25 pm

  42. Meanwhile on Planet Lucky Pierre…

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:27 pm

  43. Practical, how long do you think the wealthy wait in line to vote. There should be a proportional number of booths per voter in every precinct

    Comment by Sense of a Goose Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:35 pm

  44. Lincoln Park, 2nd ward.
    Voted around 10:00. A line actually developed(which is quite unusual) while this guy argued that he voted by mail, but only voted for Erika Harold and he wanted to complete his ballot today. “You can’t vote twice?” he asked.
    Scanner broken. Ballots going into giant box. “Special” pens running out of ink. A “helper” gave me a marker, which I declined.

    Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:38 pm

  45. At 325 PM, I was visitor 1260 at the Chatham, Illinois offices with a steady stream coming and going.

    Comment by LINK Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:40 pm

  46. I cannot read the mind of every county clerk responsible for administering elections (outside of those cities with election boards) nor do I know which ones are guided by partisan biases, but I do now that many choices relate to budgeting. It used to surprise me how little money was allocated to rent space to be used for polling places, let alone to conduct elections.

    As for the College Democrats, I am simply not buying the argument that all 21,000 Illinois State students were voting at the Bone Center. If they are unhappy, they will have to vote the County Clerk out of office, but they might have to wait in line to do so.

    Comment by Practical Politics Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:45 pm

  47. 3:00 PM-Voter 430 at Capital 85 (K of C 364.) Judges say this is busiest midterm they can recall.

    Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:50 pm

  48. Zero wait, zero problems. My polling place hosts multiple precincts. Did notice the count for the 3 precincts was 548 at the time, which might be a bit light.

    Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:52 pm

  49. I was voter 530 at my polling place in Ward 32 & Precinct 43 at 3:40p today, which is much higher than I remember from previous midterms when voting at about the same time.

    For what it’s worth.

    Comment by LoganListener Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:53 pm

  50. === Roskam must be taken as “lost”? ===

    I just assumed Trump cares about Hultgren because Underwood is a black woman and Breitbart/Pravda ran a hit piece.

    Comment by Not a Superstar Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:56 pm

  51. Hey, at least Kim Buchanan is being unfair to both sides: https://twitter.com/AndrewFeatherTV/status/1059923017025941506

    Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 4:02 pm

  52. Should have mentioned it was Capitol / Woodside precincts.

    Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 4:03 pm

  53. West Central DuPage - Winfield 41. Line of a dozen when I went in. A little over 600 had voted just before 4. Four precincts - judges said turnout was really good.

    Comment by train111 Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 4:03 pm

  54. Ok. Age. But today i feel 80

    Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 4:03 pm

  55. Heres a novel idea. How about changing tje state constitution mandating municipal and local election coincide with state and federal. You can then cut back LGDF

    Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 4:06 pm

  56. I’m shutting this post down to make way for our final precinct report thread of the day: https://capitolfax.com/2018/11/06/late-afternoonearly-evening-precinct-reports-2/

    Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 4:11 pm

Add a comment

Sorry, comments are closed at this time.

Previous Post: Credit Unions: A Unique Concept for Financial Services
Next Post: Question of the day


Last 10 posts:

more Posts (Archives)

WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.

powered by WordPress.