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* I started thinking yesterday that the country needs to get itself on a war footing. By that, I don’t mean draconian government action (frankly, any positive federal government action would be appreciated and soon), or curtailing civil liberties (except for public gatherings). It’s more like changing the mindset among public servants and the public in general.
That means, in part, doing all of our jobs to the very best of our abilities during these trying times.
Think of FDR, sick and in a wheel chair and still presiding over a global war with brilliant determination, day in and day out until it literally killed him.
* This is not an FDR-like move…
Amid rising coronavirus-related concerns, the Chicago Board of Elections on Wednesday evening called and then abruptly cancelled a special meeting at which knowledgeable sources say board members were to discuss the possibility of postponing the primary election set for next Tuesday, March 17.
The idea of an election deferral was discussed in extraordinary conference call earlier today involving the board, Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough’s office, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, House Speaker Mike Madigan and legal advisers to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
State law does not explicitly allow for an election postponement. But since a press conference Tuesday morning during which board officials said things were under control, the situation has deteriorated, with dozens of private landlords canceling plans to host election sites, senior-citizen residences moving to close their doors to outsiders even if they are visiting an election site, and increasing concern about the health of election judges and poll workers, many of them elderly. […]
Where the board this morning was looking for new polling locations for 25 precincts, most of them in nursing homes, another 64 precincts now lack a polling place as private landlords decide they do not want to shoulder any risk. The city has thousands of polling places, but 64 is better than one per ward, a very high figure to replace on short notice.
Oh, those poor bureaucrats. Chicago has well over 2,000 precinct polling places and they lost 64 of them? Horrifying. Cancel the election!
Sheesh.
Ask the aldermen to get on their phones and help out. Call the committeepersons. Combine some polling places. You cannot just cancel an election without a state legislative act and that’s not gonna happen by next Tuesday, so do something positive!
* The story was eventually updated…
In an email Wednesday night, Chicago Board of Elections spokesman Jim Allen says:
“We’re full speed ahead with the election on March 17. We’re getting cooperation from the city and the state, and we’re going to do everything in our collective parties to make certain that voting moves forward as scheduled on Election Day.”
(Headline explained here.)
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 9:32 am
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Not to defend clueless bureaucrats, but very few other politicians had the resolve of an FDR. You set the bar pretty high there.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 9:38 am
It does feel like a time to Keep Calm and Carry On — given that we’re in a uniquely challenging time. We are going to have to figure out how to shift our economy for the next couple of months. Eventually we’ll have a handle on this new strain of virus and we’ll live with it forever. But slowing the spread of it while we get a handle on it will be a major adjustment. We can figure out how to do that with a wartime can-do attitude.
Comment by Dan Johnson Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 9:39 am
Sometimes doing less is more and this is one of them. It isn’t a time for try hard sweat politician to grandstand while frontline staff pay the consequences.
Comment by Sonny Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 9:41 am
What a terrible idea.
Comment by Lil Squeezy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 9:46 am
FDR was FDR, DJT is a banned word.
I’d like for JB to be a little more aggressive, no need for high school baseball tournament, no need for visitors at IDOC (have they cancelled those for a while yet?), mandatory work from home if possible, etc..
Comment by Rutro Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 9:50 am
The state legislators should take action immediately and defer this. Look at what’s going on in Italy, where the spread is a mere few weeks ahead of where we are, and tell me that encouraging everyone in the city to have direct contact with a small number of poll workers (many elderly), who then likely become agents of the infection and pass it right back to the voters, is somehow a good idea. We can be smarter than this.
Comment by Be smart Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 9:58 am
How about we get some tests out there to start
Comment by Ok Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:00 am
“Ask the aldermen to get on their phones and help out. Call the committeepersons. Combine some polling places.”
Yup. This city is so fractured and political, but we’re only going to get through this if the powers-that-be start leading.
Speaking of war footing, I’m reminded of the book “Washington Goes to War” that spotlights the massive growth of DC as WWII broke out and the bizarre political and bureaucratic blunders that occurred. We might be facing a similar situation soon.
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:03 am
=== Keep Calm and Carry On===
Agreed, and Rich has the spirit on point with “Make do and mend”.
Stepping up and realizing that doing what is needed and expected is being vigilant and far more important than deciding to contract and invert from the needs of all.
Level heads, who are honest to task and challenges, that’s who we should all strive to be, and be that for all you encounter.
I want to believe, as I hope it will play out, our better angels will prevail.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:06 am
I mean… if this was really Chicago, we would be setting up Covid-19 testing stations at every polling place to allow anyone and everyone to get checked out.
… once they vote
Comment by Ok Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:06 am
keeping calm and having a level head is not mutually exclusive with taking the kind of decisive action that the lead experts like Dr. Fauci are telling us in no uncertain terms we ought to take:
“We would recommend there not be large crowds. If that means not having anyone in the crowd where the NBA plays, so be it.”
Comment by Be Smart Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:10 am
=== keeping calm and having a level head is not mutually exclusive with taking the kind of decisive action that the lead experts like Dr. Fauci are telling us in no uncertain terms we ought to take: “We would recommend there not be large crowds. If that means not having anyone in the crowd where the NBA plays, so be it.”===
Those who can’t calmly understand that recommendation and have a level head about the rationale are the ones that cause the problems for those who can.
It may be a heavy lift for some, but calming family/friends is part of “make do and mend”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:15 am
The Lake County Clerk’s office is advising voters to bring their own pens on Tuesday.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:15 am
NBA games are not the same as elections.
This is America. We vote.
Comment by Boog Alou Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:15 am
I imagine taking a long hard look at how well we fund our public health infrastructure will be on the minds of more people in a couple of weeks.
Comment by Rich Hill Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:29 am
Do we worry that elderly individuals might be disenfranchised because - as we know, and not to scare anyone - they are advised to avoid unnecessary local travel right now?
Comment by Be Smart Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:30 am
===unnecessary===
Are you saying the right to vote is an unnecessary thing?
I can read your… “concern”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:32 am
No need for handshakes and a ban on palm card distribution for the Primary Election would be a good start. What will the precinct captains do outside of the polls?
Comment by Practical Politics Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:35 am
==Do we worry that elderly individuals might be disenfranchised because - as we know, and not to scare anyone - they are advised to avoid unnecessary local travel right now? ==
Yes. But I’m far more worried about setting the precedent of “we can’t have an election right now”.
Comment by Boog Alou Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:35 am
Voting is as necessary as the voter decides it is. Some will stay home.
Comment by Be Smart Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:43 am
I love this post. getting the herd to do right and move in a good direction is important in trying times. these are times we have not seen. more important than ever. thanks for making us think, Rich….
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:44 am
=== Voting is as necessary as the voter decides it is. Some will stay home.===
Rain, cold, snow…
Mitigating factors, small or large, trivial or poignant will always exist.
It’s the nature of elections in the United States.
So… there’s that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:45 am
I have no idea whether the election should be postponed, as I’m not a public health expert. But the blanket assertion that public workers should forge ahead with our usual activities, notwithstanding the coronavirus, “day in and day out until it literally kill[s]” us, is asinine. What is the purpose of this post other than to say, in a wordier way, “take it like a man.” What a disgrace.
Comment by Saudades Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:46 am
Rain, cold, snow…
…global pandemics that we can lessen if we are smart about them and follow the science.
Comment by Be Smart Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:48 am
==doing all of our jobs to the very best of our abilities during these trying times==
For some folks, doing their jobs to the best of their abilities is a challenge in non-trying times.
The Chicago Board of Elections appears to have a “kick the can down the road” attitude as opposed to a “can-do” attitude. We all know how well that works. Those members of the Greatest Generation who are still with us have to be shaking their heads.
Comment by Bourbon Street Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:51 am
=== …global pandemics that we can lessen if we are smart about them and follow the science.===
Then you support an overall shutting down like Italy?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:51 am
I would defer to Dr. Fauci and other experts who hopefully have a major voice in lots of meetings for the next few weeks and months, and hope our leaders follow suit to the extent practical.
Comment by Be Smart Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:55 am
The goal is not to end up like Italy
Comment by Be Smart Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:57 am
=== I would defer to Dr. Fauci and other experts===
=== The goal is not to end up like Italy===
What have they said so far that should limit elections?
You think they are not aware elections are going on?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 10:58 am
I would be delighted to know what their advice on elections would be. Has anyone asked them? I presume nothing.
Comment by Be Smart Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 11:00 am
=== Has anyone asked them?===
They were on the Hill yesterday… testifying
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 11:02 am
- Be Smart -
Dr. Fauci yesterday.
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 11:04 am
I would guess it would be incredibly huge news if the testimony was to cancel elections.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 11:05 am
We are a Republic. We vote our leaders in or out on time. There’s things called absentee voting, voting by mail, voting early, changing the time you go to a less busy time of day.
We do need to make sure our election judges have masks, hand sanitizer, and sit back farther from the person coming in to hire. Maybe have more of the lines outside the building than in. Although at my precinct there is never a line. Advantage of small village living.
Comment by thoughts matter Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 11:10 am
===it would be incredibly huge news if the testimony was to cancel elections===
The White House will be announcing that later this fall.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 11:14 am
The Primary Election is already underway. Our Illinois courts have held that the start of early voting is now the cut-off date for making these type of decisions.
Comment by Practical Politics Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 11:14 am
=== The White House will be announcing that later this fall.===
:)
You did say you’d be here all week.
They say comedy works best when a smidge of truth is attached.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 11:17 am
I voted the first day of early voting. I went to a building across from the Thompson Center and spend maybe 10 minutes there. I am completely done with voting on the actual day anymore. I’m particularly happy I didn’t wait until the election day this year and really don’t know why other people don’t take advantage of this.
Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 11:20 am
@Cheryl44:
“I’m particularly happy I didn’t wait until the election day this year and really don’t know why other people don’t take advantage of this.”
I voted early this year solely for convenience. The one argument in favor of waiting until March 17th is that if you were really invested in the Democratic Presidential contest you might want to wait to see who was still in the race. Now, there are voters who cast ballots for Liz, Mayor Pete, Amy, Mike Bloomberg, etc., who are unhappy for wasting their votes.
Comment by Practical Politics Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 11:34 am
Mabye it’s time to explore all vote by mail elections
https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/all-mail-elections.aspx
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 11:45 am
I am planning on voting early. That is if my family lets me leave the house. Like BDD I am family quarantined.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 12:06 pm
FDR was a cut above so many of us.
As the Illinois election quickly approaches, it looks like it might be over for Sanders after next Tuesday. Yesterday he was winning Washington state but is now losing in that state too with more results in. As a Sanders voter, can’t say that Bernie and many of his supporters didn’t help bring this on themselves, with attacks on and conspiracy about the “Democratic establishment,” which is basically fellow voters, especially many Aftrican-Americans. We aren’t going to get very far alienating so many people—unless that is the goal for some or many of the “or bust” crowd.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 12:38 pm
A little personal responsibility and a lot of educastion goes a long way in a crisis such as this one. This is true no matter how many Government proclamations, shut downs, and other measures available. Even during FDR’s era, there were moments of hysteria which locked up Japanese and forced Italians and Germans in this country to prove they were really good Americans and not the enemy.
Unfortunately, some of us are clueless enough to be agents of this virus. Be careful and be responsible.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 1:27 pm
“Combine some polling places. ”
That makes it more crowded/contagious.
They should give seniors priority at crowded polling places - get them in and out quickly.
I just applied online for vote-by-mail.
Can they extend the vote-by-mail dates?
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:00 pm
You obviously aren’t paying attention to what the Trump Administration is doing.
More hillbilly journalism than usual. Just another Trump hater trying to stoke hysteria. Sad.
Comment by sheesh Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 3:53 pm
Sheesh - what has the Trump administration been doing? (other than not much)
Comment by Ike Thursday, Mar 12, 20 @ 5:51 pm
Democrat leaders will demand their minions vote, regardless of the danger. Other voters will likely choose to skip. A great opportunity - no way Pritzker would be allowed to cancel the primary.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 6:46 am