Tomorrow, if you live in PA, get your butt out of bed and vote in the primary.

[fairgambit]

Larry Sabato was right when he said “Every election is determined by the people who show up.” Don't let others decide who will sell you down the river. You decide.

Seriously, your vote does matter, especially in a primary where turnout is low. Do your homework tonight and cast a ballot tomorrow.

***I would like to keep this non partisan reminder off the Test Board, so please don't bring actual candidates into it.***

 

[dawgduice]

Larry Sabato was right when he said “Every election is determined by the people who show up.” Don't let others decide who will sell you down the river. You decide.

Seriously, your vote does matter, especially in a primary where turnout is low. Do your homework tonight and cast a ballot tomorrow.

***I would like to keep this non partisan reminder off the Test Board, so please don't bring actual candidates into it.***

It just doesn't matter Sorry but "that's the FACT Jack". The "system" is designed and controlled by the few (insert any name bought and paid for).

Oops, this may chase the thread to the "test pilot" board.

 

[Sharkies]

Agree brother -- if anything, it shows just how important these local elections are... I will be voting before work. Suggest everyone do the same (vote, not necessarily before work).

 

[fairgambit]

It just doesn't matter Sorry but "that's the FACT Jack". The "system" is designed and controlled by the few (insert any name bought and paid for).

Oops, this may chase the thread to the "test pilot" board.

It has been my experience that it matters quite a lot in local elections, like school board and township commissioners. I have seen many decisions on matters that affect my school taxes, for example, turn on the vote of one elected school board member.

 

[yeahtoasty]

If you live in Allegheny County, you can see a sample ballot for your municipality, ward and district here. http://apps.alleghenycounty.us/website/ElectPollPlace.aspx

If you don't know your ward and district (this works for all of PA), or your polling place, go here: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx

 

[fairgambit]

If you live in Allegheny County, you can see a sample ballot for your municipality, ward and district here. http://apps.alleghenycounty.us/website/ElectPollPlace.aspx

If you don't know your ward and district (this works for all of PA), or your polling place, go here: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx

Thanks for that toasty. It makes it a lot easier when you walk into the polling place .

 

[Nitt1300]

PA state legislators must be doing great work- only California pays more.

 

[LemonEars]

I will vote tomorrow. I have voted in every primary and general election for the past 47 years. However, it's hardly worth my time. In my district there are unopposed school board members, an unopposed commissioner, and judges on the ballot. Thus, the only decision I have to make is the judges. I have researched those on the ballot and I have no idea how to vote. They all say the same thing: tough on crime, will stop the heroin epidemic, etc. etc. I have no way to make a decision so I suppose I will just randomly choose.

 

[dawgduice]

It has been my experience that it matters quite a lot in local elections, like school board and township commissioners. I have seen many decisions on matters that affect my school taxes, for example, turn on the vote of one elected school board member.

Well, it should be that all votes matter. That is a major reason I have stopped voting. I value my time far more. The "system" is the problem.
I wonder what would happen if ALL voting could be done on your smart phone ? That would be a true "Democracy" (NOT what we currently have). Imagine that !

 

[PS4814]

Well, it should be that all votes matter. That is a major reason I have stopped voting. I value my time far more. The "system" is the problem.
I wonder what would happen if ALL voting could be done on your smart phone ? That would be a true "Democracy" (NOT what we currently have). Imagine that !

The poor and elderly with no access or familiarity with smart phones would be underrepresented and thus not a true "democracy". Plus the whole hacking thing, though I believe that occurs today anyway since many electronic polling devices have no paper or analog backups to check the validity of the vote tallies.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

If you live in Allegheny County, you can see a sample ballot for your municipality, ward and district here. http://apps.alleghenycounty.us/website/ElectPollPlace.aspx

If you don't know your ward and district (this works for all of PA), or your polling place, go here: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx

This is great - thanks. My party's Committee in Allegheny County is a joke. They don't send out sample ballots, they don't even tell you who has the Committee endorsement.

They are very good however about soliciting contributions. I give them the same every time - NOTHING.

 

[LafayetteBear]

I'm mildly surprised to hear that you guys are having primaries in an odd numbered year. Are you talking about special elections for a vacated seat or seats? Ballot propositions or bond measures?

 

[fairgambit]

I'm mildly surprised to hear that you guys are having primaries in an odd numbered year. Are you talking about special elections for a vacated seat or seats? Ballot propositions or bond measures?

We have primary elections every year.

 

[LemonEars]

I'm mildly surprised to hear that you guys are having primaries in an odd numbered year. Are you talking about special elections for a vacated seat or seats? Ballot propositions or bond measures?

In my district there has been an election every single year in May and November for at least the last 30 years. In odd numbered years it is mostly local stuff.

 

[fairgambit]

In my district there has been an election every single year in May and November for at least the last 30 years. In odd numbered years it is mostly local stuff.

Yep. The state house and senate elections are in even years (senate staggered) unless there is a special election, but this year (an odd numbered year) we have judicial races; local offices like county council, sheriff, school director, tax collector, supervisors, etc.

 

[dawgduice]

The poor and elderly with no access or familiarity with smart phones would be underrepresented and thus not a true "democracy". Plus the whole hacking thing, though I believe that occurs today anyway since many electronic polling devices have no paper or analog backups to check the validity of the vote tallies.

Voting by PHONE should be one of the options. That being said, politicians like it the way it is a much smaller segment of the population. They are MUCH easier to control through propaganda. If I recall in the last general election (non presidential year) roughly 25% of eligible voters did so. Some Democracy Who What Where!,

 

[fairgambit]

Voting by PHONE should be one of the options. That being said, politicians like it the way it is a much smaller segment of the population. They are MUCH easier to control through propaganda. If I recall in the last general election (non presidential year) roughly 25% of eligible voters did so. Some Democracy Who What Where!,

I disagree. I think it would open the door to even more fraudulent voting than we have now. How hard is it to get the polling place? Mine is close enough I can walk to it in 5 minutes. There are lots of volunteers that will drive people, like seniors, to the polls. You can even vote by absentee if you know you cannot get to the polls on election day. It is easy enough. To my memory, I have never missed voting in an any election (primary or general) since I was old enough to vote. It wasn't always easy, but it was always important and I did it. I am not alone. Sure lots of times the results suck, but our system is the best on earth and we need to participate to preserve it.

 

[yeahtoasty]

I've been an elections officer (Majority Clerk, for what it's worth) for the past two elections and doing it again tomorrow. Curious to see what the turnout will be.

We were around the 80% mark on November 8. I can't imagine that we'll hit 10% tomorrow but it's hard to get people interested in judicial races. In the two races that would be mildly interesting (sheriff and school board) the candidates are unopposed in the primary so there's not much going on there, either.

 

[kgilbert78]

I'm mildly surprised to hear that you guys are having primaries in an odd numbered year. Are you talking about special elections for a vacated seat or seats? Ballot propositions or bond measures?

Also true in Ohio. Usually "off" years (odd numbered ones) are for city/county offices so they don't get swallowed up by the bigger elections. Of course it doesn't make much difference in Columbus, as the primary for city council, for example, is run in a "non-partisan" manner, which recently has meant a only choice between the machine candidate and the upstarts from the same party--no one from the other party need apply.

 

[fairgambit]

I've been an elections officer (Majority Clerk, for what it's worth) for the past two elections and doing it again tomorrow. Curious to see what the turnout will be.

We were around the 80% mark on November 8. I can't imagine that we'll hit 10% tomorrow but it's hard to get people interested in judicial races. In the two races that would be mildly interesting (sheriff and school board) the candidates are unopposed in the primary so there's not much going on there, either.

Yes. No one cares about who is elected Judge until they have to appear before one.
I congratulate you for your participation in the process.

 

[yeahtoasty]

Yes. No one cares about who is elected Judge until they have to appear before one.
I congratulate you for your participation in the process.

It's actually kind of fun, although I could live without the 6 a.m. start time...

 

[ForesterGump]

They don't allow anyone but Democrats or Republicans to vote, unless there is a ballot issue. The parties control the system. Who pays for the primary that only allows members of a political union to vote?

 

[91Joe95]

I'm voting for this guy:

 

[fairgambit]

They don't allow anyone but Democrats or Republicans to vote, unless there is a ballot issue. The parties control the system. Who pays for the primary that only allows members of a political union to vote?

It's a party primary. I agree that you should be registered with that party to vote. It's not difficult to register and not difficult to change registrations. I am not tied to a party. In the past 30 years I have switched parties many times. I might know of a lawyer that I believe would make a great Judge and is running as a Republican, so I will register as such. If the following year I see a worthy Democrat running for the State Senate, I switch to being a Democrat.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Also true in Ohio. Usually "off" years (odd numbered ones) are for city/county offices so they don't get swallowed up by the bigger elections. Of course it doesn't make much difference in Columbus, as the primary for city council, for example, is run in a "non-partisan" manner, which recently has meant a only choice between the machine candidate and the upstarts from the same party--no one from the other party need apply.

Pittsburgh is the ultimate one-party town. The only election that matters is tomorrow. Whoever gets the nod in the primary will sweep to their coronation in November. The minority party is outnumbered 4-1, plus they are so disorganized and bumbling that they do not provide even token opposition.

Once in a while you'll have some insurgent or third-party candidate gets on the general ballot, followed by a crushing, embarrassing defeat, whereby they are never heard from again.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

They don't allow anyone but Democrats or Republicans to vote, unless there is a ballot issue. The parties control the system. Who pays for the primary that only allows members of a political union to vote?

If you're not a registered member of a Party, why should you get a vote on who is the Party's nominee?

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

I disagree. I think it would open the door to even more fraudulent voting than we have now. How hard is it to get the polling place? Mine is close enough I can walk to it in 5 minutes. There are lots of volunteers that will drive people, like seniors, to the polls. You can even vote by absentee if you know you cannot get to the polls on election day. It is easy enough. To my memory, I have never missed voting in an any election (primary or general) since I was old enough to vote. It wasn't always easy, but it was always important and I did it. I am not alone. Sure lots of times the results suck, but our system is the best on earth and we need to participate to preserve it.

If they were giving away free money at the polling place, there'd be no trouble whatsoever to get people there, would there?

This ain't American Idol. If it is important to you, then show a little effort.

 

[dawgduice]

I disagree. I think it would open the door to even more fraudulent voting than we have now. How hard is it to get the polling place? Mine is close enough I can walk to it in 5 minutes. There are lots of volunteers that will drive people, like seniors, to the polls. You can even vote by absentee if you know you cannot get to the polls on election day. It is easy enough. To my memory, I have never missed voting in an any election (primary or general) since I was old enough to vote. It wasn't always easy, but it was always important and I did it. I am not alone. Sure lots of times the results suck, but our system is the best on earth and we need to participate to preserve it.

Not to continue, but WHAT fraudulent voting are you referring too?
A understand why we do not have "convenient" voting. How about the day OFF to encourage voting ? Neither party wants THAT

Well, we have to agree to disagree. As an aside I too voted in every election for most of my life. It is only recently I have given up on the system. I have now learned that my time is FAR more valuable. It is SO SO corrupt for us serfs

I must sound like a real pessimist, actually I am quite the opposite. The future (because of science) will put an end to all of this silliness. So, for me Stephen Hawking has it right. The future is VERY bright !!

 

[kgilbert78]

Pittsburgh is the ultimate one-party town. The only election that matters is tomorrow. Whoever gets the nod in the primary will sweep to their coronation in November. The minority party is outnumbered 4-1, plus they are so disorganized and bumbling that they do not provide even token opposition.

Once in a while you'll have some insurgent or third-party candidate gets on the general ballot, followed by a crushing, embarrassing defeat, whereby they are never heard from again.

Columbus is getting close to that. We still have a few R's in a couple of city/county offices. But not for long, I expect.

 

[ForesterGump]

If you're not a registered member of a Party, why should you get a vote on who is the Party's nominee?

Why aren't there any other parties on the primary? If public funds are being used for a primary, then the only ones to benefit are party members. Seems if the party wants to have a private election, they should shoulder all the costs.

 

[91Joe95]

Why aren't there any other parties on the primary? If public funds are being used for a primary, then the only ones to benefit are party members. Seems if the party wants to have a private election, they should shoulder all the costs.

Ding, ding, ding. Along that same note, who benefits from all the demographic data from the census counts? The government never needed it to apportion districts, only to divide populations.

 

[BobPSU92]

I'm mildly surprised to hear that you guys are having primaries in an odd numbered year. Are you talking about special elections for a vacated seat or seats? Ballot propositions or bond measures?

Pennsylvania is odd.

 

[kgilbert78]

Pennsylvania is odd.

As I noted, Ohio does the same thing. But a case could be made that Ohio is odd too. At least you can get a 6 pack at the supermarket here, tho....

 

[fairgambit]

Why aren't there any other parties on the primary? If public funds are being used for a primary, then the only ones to benefit are party members. Seems if the party wants to have a private election, they should shoulder all the costs.

If a party, say the Green, gets 2% of the vote in a General Election they can be on the primary ballot the next time. That is the law in Pennsylvania and, I believe, not unreasonable.

 

[fairgambit]

Not to continue, but WHAT fraudulent voting are you referring too?
A understand why we do not have "convenient" voting. How about the day OFF to encourage voting ? Neither party wants THAT

Well, we have to agree to disagree. As an aside I too voted in every election for most of my life. It is only recently I have given up on the system. I have now learned that my time is FAR more valuable. It is SO SO corrupt for us serfs

I must sound like a real pessimist, actually I am quite the opposite. The future (because of science) will put an end to all of this silliness. So, for me Stephen Hawking has it right. The future is VERY bright !!

Fraud occurs, to a greater or lesser degree, in every election. It happens with both parties. It seldom amounts to enough to make a difference.

 

[fairgambit]

Not to continue, but WHAT fraudulent voting are you referring too?
A understand why we do not have "convenient" voting. How about the day OFF to encourage voting ? Neither party wants THAT

Well, we have to agree to disagree. As an aside I too voted in every election for most of my life. It is only recently I have given up on the system. I have now learned that my time is FAR more valuable. It is SO SO corrupt for us serfs

I must sound like a real pessimist, actually I am quite the opposite. The future (because of science) will put an end to all of this silliness. So, for me Stephen Hawking has it right. The future is VERY bright !!

I am glad you are optimistic about the future because I am not. I am realistic. Science will not save us. The world has been hearing this, or something similar, for thousands of years. It has not happened. It never will. Science has made things better, but this is an imperfect world and it will always remain so.

 

[bjf1991]

I disagree. I think it would open the door to even more fraudulent voting than we have now. How hard is it to get the polling place? Mine is close enough I can walk to it in 5 minutes. There are lots of volunteers that will drive people, like seniors, to the polls. You can even vote by absentee if you know you cannot get to the polls on election day. It is easy enough. To my memory, I have never missed voting in an any election (primary or general) since I was old enough to vote. It wasn't always easy, but it was always important and I did it. I am not alone. Sure lots of times the results suck, but our system is the best on earth and we need to participate to preserve it.

If anything should change it is the voting PROCESS (that's a different thing from ACCESS)

Number 1 on the list ( and it's a long list) should be the elimination of "party affiliation" tagged to each candidate on the ballot.

Anyone who wants to vote "straight ticket" should at least be required to know WHO THE F THE CANDIDATE IS, in order to vote for them.

It still absolute infuriates and bewilders me that you can simply check off a box for a "party" (and that anyone WOULD want to check off a box for a "party").

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Number 1 on the list ( and it's a long list) should be the elimination of "party affiliation" tagged to each candidate on the ballot.

Anyone who wants to vote "straight ticket" should at least be required to know WHO THE F THE CANDIDATE IS, in order to vote for them.

It still absolute infuriates and bewilders me that you can simply check off a box for a "party" (and that anyone WOULD want to check off a box for a "party").

Kind of interesting that #1 on your list is something that isn't even applicable in a primary election -- the type of election PA is holding tomorrow.

 

[Royal_Coaster]

The thing that annoys me the most is how many of those running for school board, councils, etc. will cross file. And there will be four of those cross-filed names on a ballot that tells me to pick no more than 4.

 

[bjf1991]

Kind of interesting that #1 on your list is something that isn't even applicable in a primary election -- the type of election PA is holding tomorrow.

Kind of interesting that I'm talking about the electoral process in totality - not limited to the primaries


But thanks so much for pointing that out ...... who woulda' known?