Remember to go vote today
Today is primary election day. It may not be as important in your mind as the general election day, but it should be. The list of candidates is whittled down to one candidate from each party in a partisan primary contest. In some cases, where there is no challenger in another party, a primary election is actually the deciding factor. Such is the case in some races today; in our immediate area, the state assembly race for the 53rd district.
The one difference about today's election - one which many don't understand and even more of us don't like - is that you can't cross party lines. So if you are voting for a Democrat in one race, you cannot then vote for a Republican, Green or Independent in another. You don't have to vote for all candidates in one party, but you cannot change parties midstream. If you do, your entire ballot is voided.
This creates a dilemma for many because they have interest in different races and candidates in those races may be from different parties. For example, you may want to vote in the Democratic race for Attorney General, but also have a strong interest in the Republican primary race for Winnebago County District Attorney.
My advice to you is pick the race that you think might be the closest and cast your ballot for the candidate of your choice. Then hope for the best.Remember also, today marks the debut of touch screen voting machines - one at each polling place. You do not have to use the touch screen machine and, given the history of problems with these machines in other states, you might be better off not. But if you do, please pay close attention to the directions for use, and if you have questions about how to use them before you actually proceed to the machine, ask one of the poll workers. They can answer general questions before you begin the voting process.
Whichever machine you use and whoever you vote for, the most important thing is to exercise your privilege to vote by going to the polls, and making your voice heard in one of the most democratic ways possible.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The one difference about today's election - one which many don't understand and even more of us don't like - is that you can't cross party lines. So if you are voting for a Democrat in one race, you cannot then vote for a Republican, Green or Independent in another. You don't have to vote for all candidates in one party, but you cannot change parties midstream. If you do, your entire ballot is voided.
This creates a dilemma for many because they have interest in different races and candidates in those races may be from different parties. For example, you may want to vote in the Democratic race for Attorney General, but also have a strong interest in the Republican primary race for Winnebago County District Attorney.
My advice to you is pick the race that you think might be the closest and cast your ballot for the candidate of your choice. Then hope for the best.Remember also, today marks the debut of touch screen voting machines - one at each polling place. You do not have to use the touch screen machine and, given the history of problems with these machines in other states, you might be better off not. But if you do, please pay close attention to the directions for use, and if you have questions about how to use them before you actually proceed to the machine, ask one of the poll workers. They can answer general questions before you begin the voting process.
Whichever machine you use and whoever you vote for, the most important thing is to exercise your privilege to vote by going to the polls, and making your voice heard in one of the most democratic ways possible.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 5:11 AM
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