By Lee Newcom
I keep wondering if and when Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly will figure out what their party is supposed to stand for. You know, silly little ideas like SMALLER GOVERNMENT! Maybe it's that some of us yahoos keep talking about a "combine" and they really just don't get it.
Here's the newest abomination. . .
BOTH parties are pushing for county election authorities (County Clerks or Board of Election Commissioners) to remain open for early voting on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. This means that for the approximately 22 extra days of "early voting," we have to add about 10 weekend days, and 2 holidays (2 for a March primary, 1 for a November general) for election staffing to be in the office, plus the attendant utilities, janitorial staff, etc. The costs, all over the state, will be astronomical. For the off-year city elections, you know, the ones where turnout is like 10% to elect school board and city councils, they might even bring in, oh, 3 or 4 voters for all the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent.
They are getting ready to legislate and vote this in. That's because this is not controversial. BOTH PARTY LEADERSHIPS ARE SUPPORTING THIS!!
Do any of these legislative seat warmers have a clue as to how much that will cost? And of course there is that simplistic and outmoded argument of Whatever happened to just having an election day???? And what about, HEY, DID YOUS GUYS EVER FIGUR OUT THAT ALL OF THIS 30 DAY LONG ELECTION NONSENSE IS A BARN DOOR OPEN FOR ELECTION FRAUD ! ! ! !
This is one of those issues that I have to wonder why there is NO Republican leader anywhere who is standing up to this kind of absolute...well...I don't know what to say. I am just exasperated. I don't understand for a moment what they are thinking. Please, is there any elected leadership in the Republican Party...anyone?
Anyone home at all?
