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Robocalls that Chicago election officials blamed for the no-show of 2,000 election judges this week were recorded by people helping Cook County Republicans recruit poll workers and who were trying to ensure those judges voted for the GOP, according to recordings of the calls.
But the chairman of the Cook County GOP says the calls were not sanctioned by the party.
Chicago election officials have referred the issue to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, which has begun an investigation. No charges have been filed.
The calls were first brought to the public’s attention Monday by city officials who labeled them “intimidation” and who later linked them to the higher than usual absentee rate of judges at the polls. While no one claims the calls affected the outcome of the vote, election officials said the judges’ confusion left them scrambling to find last-minute stand-ins and contributed to long lines and delays at polling places throughout the city.
OK, first of all, I was on the conference call when the spokesman for the Chicago Board of Elections Commissioners talked to reporters about the robocalls. He never said that 2,000 judges didn’t show up because of the calls. He said that, typically “more than a thousand” judges don’t show up on election day and stressed that the board wouldn’t know who the no-shows were and how many didn’t show up until pay slips were processed.
* Mark Brown…
Sources tell me Chicago election officials went into Tuesday’s voting with at least 1,500 election judge vacancies, regarded as less than optimum but not out of the norm.
Either way, the “2,000 judges didn’t show up because of robocalls” line is false. Period.
At the time, the city board spokesman was simply passing along what he was hearing from the judges, many of whom were extremely upset and some of whom had quit. But he went out of his way not to say which party may have been targeted.
* He also said that the calls could’ve been mere “incompetence.” Here is the transcript for two of the calls…
“This is your Chicago election judge coordinator Jim Parrilli. I’m calling to let you know that tomorrow, Nov. 1, we are having an additional training at our headquarters from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. … Beverages will be served. We will have people there to answer any question you might have about your responsibility as election judge on Tuesday, Nov. 4.”
Judges were told to go to 411 E. 79th St. (which is a vacant lot) or 8340 S. Western, according to Brown. On Nov. 1, a follow-up call told judges to go to 711 E. 79th (a clothing store) and 8140 S. Western. The GOP campaign office is actually at 511 E. 79th St., Brown reports, and 8340 S. Western was rented by the Cook County Republican Party.
According to the board spokesman on election day, some judges thought the city should pay them for the extra training and quit. People don’t often hear details too well on the phone, especially with calls like these. Back in my youthful telemarketing days (Amoco Motor Club), part of our training involved telling us that people don’t usually pick up on the first few words when they answer their phones. So I can understand how some thought this was an official training, and I can understand why the bad addresses made people even more suspect.
* And what about the calls telling judges they had to vote a straight GOP ticket? That didn’t really happen, either. Parilli was urging judges to vote early, just in case they were assigned to a precinct which wasn’t their own. During another robocall, he said judges are “required to participate in voting to be an election judge.” If “participate in voting” means registering to vote, I suppose that’s true. Otherwise, no.
And Parilli went on to say this during one call…
“Part of being a Republican judge means supporting our Republican ticket.”
From a partisan rah-rah standpoint, I can see where he’s coming from. But there is no actual requirement.
* OK, back to Brown…
[The Republican ward] committeeman blamed most of the problems on separate efforts by Sharon Meroni, one of the individuals involved in the robocalls, to purge Republican election judges with a history of Democratic voting.
Nelson and other committeemen confirmed an ongoing battle with Meroni in the weeks before the election as they tried to protect the election judges they had selected.
Just a day before the robocalls started, Meroni went before a Cook County Circuit judge in an unsuccessful bid to dump 480 Republican election judges on the basis of party loyalty.
As I explained earlier, Meroni was the Cook County GOP’s election judge coordinator, presenting herself before both city and county election officials as the designated representative of Cook County Republican chairman Aaron Del Mar.
Del Mar insisted to me that Meroni was just a volunteer, one among hundreds, even though the party paid $5,000 to her company in the months before the election. On Tuesday, he said he’s no longer going to comment.
Ironically enough, Meroni is a crusader against “vote fraud”.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 3:59 pm
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It’s maliciously stupid.
The only thing I can glean is that the calls themselves weren’t made accidentally.
The intent is still up for discussion.
What I mean by intent; the orchestrated disruption of voting by rogues, or the disruption of a larger scale, or utterly the hatched plan of the galacticly stupid that spun well outside their small intent.
The only race this will effect will be Treasurer(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 4:09 pm
Weird all over. From the whispers I hear, Parrilli was also the one who coordinated the Mikelowski complaint against Rutherford. After Mikelowski quit the Treasurer’s office he was immediately hired by Karen Yarborough. Parrilli, a Republican, who was once a Democrat Mayor of Maywood, was on Democrat Committeeman Karen Yarborough’s sample ballot and recommended list.
I think Parrilli is a crafty character, but I don’t think he would use his real name if he knew he was trying to do something underhanded.
Comment by Rhino Slider Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 4:10 pm
Were they also behind the robocalls made to the countywide GOP candidates? Maybe that’s why none of them showed up for the ballot on election day.
Comment by Put the Fun in unfunded Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 4:14 pm
Malicious or just plain stupid?
Can it be both?
Comment by Knome Sane Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 4:14 pm
If you’ve ever dealt with any of these people, the answer is just plain stupid.
They usually cannot do any harm, but this year the Gang of Grifters found the sweet spot with the Rauner campaign pumping money into the Chicago and Cook GOP organizations.
Finally, the capital to implement their hair-brained schemes. They honestly believe they are political geniuses.
Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 4:40 pm
====/malicious-or-just-plain-stupid===
I have met Parilli and I would guess the later. But I also agree with Knome that they may not be mutually exclusive.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 4:40 pm
This is going to be the story that just limps out of the public consciousness. Quietly dropped to never be heard of again. There were less problems with election judges than most of the elections. Few polls opened late. This is the biggest “nothing” going on. Next.
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 4:41 pm
Parilli is the Democrat who’s the “beard” as a GOP Ward rep in the 19th Ward. My personal experience with the guy is that he’s there for the 19th Ward Dem organization. IIRC correctly, he was the Dem mayor of Melrose Park (?) at one time. He’s a typical political opportunist,who’ll take money for either side.
Typical Dem precinct captain type.
In the past he’s worked to keep GOP candidates off the ballot and give his Dem buddies a free pass.
I have to agree with “Been There”.
Comment by Arizona Bob Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 4:48 pm
I believe Maroni filed a lawsiut to keep Obama off the ballot a few years back because he wasn’t born in the US. Looks like we get all kinds of wierd goofyness out of her.
Comment by train111 Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 4:49 pm
A couple of crackpots, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a part of today’s Illinois GOP organization.
If you’ll check your Oct. 19, 2010, Cap Fax blog, you’ll see Meroni was Pat Brady’s handpicked “voter integrity” coordinator that year.
He must have been attracted by her credentials as a prominent birther.
Four years later, she’s still in business with the party.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 4:55 pm
I believe she.. Maroni came over from the Jack Roser team
Comment by Chicago poll watcher Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 4:57 pm
“Part of being a Republican judge means supporting our Republican ticket.”
This used to be a hard and fast rule during the primary — at least in terms of requesting the party ballot — and it was grounds for not being reappointed in subsequent elections since the primary party affiliations are kept on record. I do not know how it would be enforced in a general election setting.
Comment by Upon Further Review Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 5:04 pm
Maroni may be smartly devious enough to appear to accidentally create confusion. Most people and pollsters thought it would be a very very very close race.
Do we know how many polling places opened late because of the robocalls?
Comment by state worker Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 5:04 pm
Gimme a break.
” “This is your Chicago election judge coordinator Jim Parrilli. I’m calling to let you know that tomorrow, Nov. 1, we are having an additional training at our headquarters from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. … Beverages will be served. We will have people there to answer any question you might have about your responsibility as election judge on Tuesday, Nov. 4.”
Judges were told to go to 411 E. 79th St. (which is a vacant lot) or 8340 S. Western, according to Brown. On Nov. 1, a follow-up call told judges to go to 711 E. 79th (a clothing store) and 8140 S. Western. The GOP campaign office is actually at 511 E. 79th St., Brown reports, and 8340 S. Western was rented by the Cook County Republican Party.”
Did Paralli’s voice change? What’s the deal with the multiple bad addresses?
‘…just plain stupid?’ Guess. Please.
Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 5:07 pm
Gee whiz, A Guy, last Thursday here you were agreeing with Ed Burke that whoever was behind this should be sitting in the Dirksen Building with a subpoena in their hands ready to go before a grand jury.
Wha’ happened? Friends of yours? Smitten?
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 5:11 pm
Can we stop with the “Democrat Mayor of Maywood… Democrat Committeeman Karen Yarborough’s…”
It’s Democratic Mayor and Democratic Committeeman.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 5:30 pm
Wasn’t Jim Parrilli also the genius who tried to promote Rahm’s former renter as the GOP mayoral candidate in 2011? The candidacy folded quickly as the petitions were lousy.
Comment by Upon Further Review Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 5:35 pm
pure and simple stupid but if Jim Sweeney and 150 would have done it “”brilliant strategy , just representing the membership”
Comment by railrat Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 5:57 pm
Maybe it’s because I live in the City but I have an enormous issue with stuff. I’m linked via Facebook with people who were unable to vote due to polls not being open in the AM….who knows if there were 10,000 or 40,000 or 100,000 people not able to vote? It could make a difference in some of the races.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 5:59 pm
well, the Republicans sure are owning him. RCommitteeman of Maine Township, Char Foss Eggemann, sent out an email congratulating the winners and lauding those who ran, including Mr. Parrilli/malicious and stupid.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 6:00 pm
After reading the comments, while I don’t disagree with any of the comments about Jim Parilli and the 19th Ward, it would be a mistake to see Parilli as acting for the Democratic Party in this. He and his allies like Liz Gorman have been hard core Rauner operatives from the start, so IF there was any culpable wrongdoing (a very, very big “if” to me so far), it would have been motivated by that.
Comment by Percival Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 6:07 pm
Have USANID empanel a grand jury and go where the facts lead.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 6:32 pm
If you want some background on these people go to williamjkellyforchicago.com and read the ‘violent threats’ press release.
Comment by William j Kelly Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 6:42 pm
Maybe Blagojevich orchestrated from prison. Payback time for sending him to his tinny tiny room.
Comment by Stateworker #1983 Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 6:43 pm
William Kelly…
How’s the campaign going against Rahm ?
Your a real black and decker !
Comment by Icote Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 6:59 pm
Anyone who has ever dealt with this crew knows that malicious and stupid go hand in hand with them. But what about hilarity? Not so much!
Comment by William j Kelly Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 7:04 pm
I remember when Parrilli tried to kick some Republicans off the ballot. I also remember being really confused and I couldn’t understand why. Later, I learned he even contributes to the 19th ward Democratics. It’s funny now that Rauner won, this old gossip is suddenly juicy. However I fear it will only encourage William J. Kelly.
Comment by Rhino Slider Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 8:05 pm
Sharon Meroni is an embarrassment. She’s been a birther for years. She used to go by the name ‘Chalice’ when she had a blogtalk radio show. She and others went to DC in 2009 to serve ‘presentments’ by their ‘American Grand Jury’ where they indicted Obama. That worked.
Comment by PattyCakes Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 8:28 pm
William Kelly you are dillusinal nobody but nobody cares what you do
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 8:35 pm
No Sling, what happened was I saw the transcript and heard the robocall. It wasn’t anything remotely close to what the first reports said. It was election day hyper BS. No there there. Much ado… What do you see Swami?
Comment by À guy Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 9:07 pm
Are the robo-calls to election judges legal? I thought it was illegal to keep people from voting. I am waiting for these people to be arrested.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 9:40 pm
Percival is right on about this. Liz Gorman is super close to the Maine Township Trustees, who are combine Republicans. This is not about helping Democrats, unless it was to help Marty Moylan, which it is not. This was about helping Rauner.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 12, 14 @ 11:06 pm
Maroni is a far right fringe volunteer who had the ability to whisper Jack Roeser into funding her schemes. With Jack having passed, she is out looking for funds and leverage, and perhaps this sideshow will be just enough to encourage additional cash her way from birthed-type activists. A conversation with her about one of her many conspiracy theories and action plans is to experience the extremes of illogic thinking.
Comment by Chad Thursday, Nov 13, 14 @ 6:20 am
Rauner cannot depend upon these clowns to govern and for his own preservation, needs to clean them right out the door. ILGOP is only good for cringeworthy embarrassments like this.
Fire them all.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 13, 14 @ 7:35 am
I don’t believe this had anything to do with Rauner. This was a small time goof up by two goof ups. Bringing anyone else into this is just fueling William Kelly and the conspiracy theorists.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 13, 14 @ 8:41 am
Can we have a do-over?
Comment by Mittuns Thursday, Nov 13, 14 @ 8:46 am
William Kelly shows up at the Rauner victory party and is offended that he was not greeted with hugs and kisses? LOL!
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Nov 13, 14 @ 8:48 am
Louse, read the ‘violent threats’ press release at williamjkellyforchicago.com and you will see I wasn’t at the Hilton for a victory party.
Comment by William j Kelly Thursday, Nov 13, 14 @ 8:52 am
Back when the hot gotcha was ordering pizzas to the oppositions HQ.
“Newer. Faster. Dumber: Your IL GOP.”
Comment by O.F. Thursday, Nov 13, 14 @ 9:12 am
You weren’t at the Hilton for the victory party? You were in the lobby of the Hilton where the Rauner victory party was being held. And you weren’t getting hugs and kisses from those in attendance?
Oh! That makes a HUGE difference! LOL! LOL! LOL!
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Nov 13, 14 @ 10:12 am
Birther and Wingnut? Your descriptions lack reality.
Meroni is actually a very serious researcher. I have followed her work for a couple of years on Defend the Vote and get her newsletters. She is under the wire. She has forced Chicago and Suburban Cook County to pay attention to how they run elections. Defend the Vote’s successes range from forcing Chicago to recount thousands of absentee ballots to forcing new seals on the election equipment. Meroni also has a complaint about the election machines that is about to go live. On the front line, is it rather odd she is suddenly targeted? The Chicago Board of Elections love to take the heat off where it really belongs which is on them!
If Meroni was involved in this and it is more than a mistake of addresses by Parrilli, I am willing to bet there is more to this story than meets the eyes. I know she has been fighting for honesty in how the election judges are staffed for a few years and recall when she caught Chicago and Suburban Cook County staffing nursing homes with only Democrats to oversee the senior votes.
I would wait and see on this. I cannot recall the last time one of Meroni’s investigations failed to produce results. Someone should contact her and find out the real story.
Comment by Political Games and Reality Thursday, Nov 13, 14 @ 2:30 pm