THE ANTI-TRANSPARENT ILLINOIS BOARD OF ELECTIONS
For the Good of Illinois | Category: Editorial | Published: 9/30/2008
Views: 4030 | Comments: 13 | Bookmark and Share

The Anti-Transparent Illinois Board of Elections

By Adam Andrzejewski
September 30, 2008

UPDATE: BRUNO BEHREND and ILLINOIS CITIZEN COALITION wins case!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-zorn-02-oct02,0,7750442.story
UPDATE: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ballot-lawsuit-box-02-oct02,0,5613371.story


On Tuesday, September 30th, 2008, Bruno Behrend of Illinois Citizen Coalition filed suit in Cook County Circuit Court to prevent the Illinois Board of Elections from the distribution of ballots containing non vetted and constitutionally questionable language.  The details of his case should cause every ‘play by the rules’ Illinois citizen to shudder…

The Illinois Board of Elections may be the most opaque entity of Illinois government.  Consider the following: ballot questions this year needed to be submitted by August 28, 2008 at 5pm to be certified on August 29th in the morning!

Where is the opportunity for citizen review?  Where is the public airing and publishing of ballot language?  The short certification timeline is designed to prevent effective challenges and has led to the very problem that we face now:  an erroneous ballot that threatens the integrity of an election-  in a Presidential year!

The ballot question of the 2008 proposed Illinois Constitutional Convention has the effect of disenfranchising voters by with “false and misleading” ballot instructions. The instructions would count an under vote (not marking either yes or no) the same as a no vote!  But, the measure could pass with either 60% of the yes/no votes, or 50% of all voter ballots. Perfectly confusing a measure that only appears on the ballot every 20 years and has the real capability of reforming Illinois government and politics.


Where did this language on “instruction” come from?  To this day, the Attorney General's office, the Secretary of State's office and the Board of Elections have not figured out who authorized or even when this language was inserted on the ballot.  This verbiage was snuck onto the ballot even though dozens of concerned voters and officials, up to and including the Lt. Governor were watching the question processed into certification. The egregious ballot instructions just “appeared” as the ballots were being printed!

In America, nothing is more sacred and non-partisan than the belief in a free and fair election.  That process would necessitate having ballots and state questions placed in front of the public on a website BEFORE ballots are certified. 

The Illinois Board of Elections needs to end the smoke-filled backroom deal making paradigm of politics as usual.  Let’s merge technology- using online publishing of ballots- with democracy!

For The Good Of Illinois.

Comments

On 3/8/2010 Ted Bellis said:

Great Resource, Thanks for sharing! Emergency fast cash advance at No Fax Payday Loan provides the relaxation you need when it comes to lending money.


On 3/8/2010 linlin201000 said:

Louis vuitton handbagsugg boots louis vuitton bag our best choice louis vuitton bags our shop sellshandbags is good ghd is my love slendertoneis the superior product we sellgucci bags louis vuitton bags onsale bags gives me a nice giftLouis vuitton on sale discount ugg bootsbuy now ghd straighteners slendertone flexis discount louis vuitton louis vuitton sells online


On 3/5/2010 altex said:

Great article with excellent idea! I appreciate your post. Thanks so much and let keep on sharing your stuffs. mikimoto pearl necklace|lace wedding dresses


On 2/26/2010 hu said:

Replica Handbags ALEXANDRE MCQUEEN Handbags Louis Vuitton Handbags Gucci Handbags Chanel Handbags Fendi Handbags Coach Handbags Manolo Blahnik Boots Cheap UGG Boots Shoes China Handbags UGG Nightfall Replica Tiffany Jewelry Cheap Chanel Flap Cheap Chanel Hobo Handbag Cheap Chanel Quilted Cheap Chanel Handbags Cheap Chanel Tote Handbags


On 2/8/2010 paul smith said:

Many people are very like to wear the paul smith ,because the brand's design is very individual and the quality is very cool.I like the paul smith shoes,paul smith bags ,paul smith t-shirts, I found a very best website buy the cheap paul smith,in there you will find cheap paul smith wallets ,paul smith necktie,paul smith shirt and so on ,so take action righ now!


On 2/7/2010 cheap mbt shoes said:

This article is very good. And I like you very much!
The author was too kind.
Thank author sharing.At this is once!
Nike shox
Authentic Products nike shox shoes provides all kinds of shox nike .
nike shox NZ in high quality but lowest prices possible from USA.
kids nike shox and
nike shox monster run
nike shox turbo

nike shox r4 and nike shox r5
We frequently update the styles of kids nike shox flame so please check back to choose your favourite shoes.

chen li


On 2/4/2010 Ecboots said:

If you are looking for the top boots such as timberland boots sale,christian louboutin shoes, uggs on sale,puma shoes ,high quality, Quick shipment,Lowest price and Good service. Many people care their health.To have a good MBT shoes, will help reduce the anxious.when you see mbt shoes sale, you can find timberland boots sale, christian louboutin sale and puma shoes sale, no matter which you like, there are some other styles, like timberland 6 inch boots, ugg bailey button,ugg argyle knit boots,timberland boots mens,timberland roll top boots, mbt lami shoes.these shoes make you so fashion in cold winter. Also,you can take a look the designer handbags,such as gucci handbags,chanel handbags, Louis Vuitton Handbags and so on.


On 2/3/2010 timberlands bootsales said:

Timberland boot company is famous for their timberland outlet which makes them with a lot of precipitation. Timberland boots outlet somehow manages to make this timberland boots sale look good as well, so mens timberland boots are a popular choice even amongst the most style conscious.One of the concerns many people have is whether the timberland boots they buy are real timberland boots or fake.Shopping for timberland boots for men is the most tire-some work. Which timberland shoes to select? What things to be considered while shopping for timberland boots women? These are all the timberland online store that many people come across while shopping discount timberland boots. So, all you need to do is just know the purpose for buying timberland waterproof boots, then go for shopping timberland clearance will make your task a bit easier. Go ahead, just try and wear timberland mens boots if you need timberland boots sale really.


On 2/3/2010 selingbags said:

Welcome to www.selingbags.com if you are looking for the top cheap designer handbags,high quality, Quick shipment,Lowest price and Good service. Our handbags sale are popular all over the world with High Quality, Competitive Price, Best Service and Safe Delivery.we can wholesale chanel handbags free on site orders.


On 1/12/2010 Club Penguin Cheats said:

The pamphlet, Registering to Vote in Illinois, describes the rules and procedures surrounding the voter registration process in Illinois. An individual may register to vote in Illinois if he/she is 18 years or older on the next election day, resides in the jurisdiction for 30 days prior to the election, and is a U.S. citizen. Illinois' residents may register in person at the office of the election authority, at Driver's license facilities, with deputy registrars who are appointed in each jurisdiction, or via mail using the Illinois Voter Registration Application available in English and Spanish.


On 8/5/2009 Adam Labowski said:

The smoke-filled backroom politics will not work in this scenario. Online services have reduced bureaucracy in the past and can bring efficiency and transparency here too.


On 7/24/2009 Michael F said:

The pamphlet, Registering to Vote in Illinois, describes the rules and procedures surrounding the voter registration process in Illinois. An individual may register to vote in Illinois if he/she is 18 years or older on the next election day, resides in the jurisdiction for 30 days prior to the election, and is a U.S. citizen. Illinois' residents may register in person at the office of the election authority, at Driver's license facilities, with deputy registrars who are appointed in each jurisdiction, or via mail using the Illinois Voter Registration Application available in English and Spanish. Illinois citizens residing overseas and military personnel may register using a Federal postcard application found on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website. Other questions maybe answered using the Military and Overseas Voter Guidelines Registration is closed during the 27 days prior to an election. Individuals who miss the deadline may register or transfer their registration at the office of the election authority under the guidelines of grace period registration. Check these election registration deadlines. payroll loans


On 3/31/2009 Illinois for Growth said:

Transparency...if only we could get that in our corrupt state. Hopefully things will change.


Leave a Comment
Name:
Email:
URL:
Comment:
Security Code:
Type Security Code:

DEBT counter

Illinois State Debt:

Per Person: More Info...

Blogs By Category
Editorial (25)
Education Editorial (9)


Blogs By Year/Month
January 2009 (2)
December 2008 (3)
November 2008 (1)
September 2008 (2)
August 2008 (1)
July 2008 (1)
June 2008 (1)
May 2008 (1)
February 2008 (4)
January 2008 (4)
December 2007 (3)
November 2007 (6)
October 2007 (5)