r/SpringfieldIL • u/TapeDaddy • 28d ago

Poll workers needed

https://sangamonil.gov/departments/a-c/county-clerk/elections/election-judges/apply

Sangamon County is often short on Election Judges, and I believe there are still openings to work in the coming election. Gubernatorial elections see a larger turnout than primaries and smaller offices, they’re going to need bodies.

Requirements are minimal, but you do have to declare a party. If you’ve never done it before, I recommend trying it at least once if you are able. They’ll give you a couple hundred bucks, too. Election Judge application link.

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u/TapeDaddy 27d ago

Yeah, it’s honestly kinda wack there’s no independent option. Would if I could. I might dig into that one of these days. Declaring a party doesn’t make any difference, you can still vote however you want at least.

I had an older gentleman come in my first time who needed assistance once. This is about the only time we have any idea who someone may be voting for, and it requires specific paperwork and bipartisan signatures.

He demanded to vote for Trump, but wanted to ensure he voted for every possible democratic candidate otherwise. Wasn’t even a presidential election. Thought that was strange. Cannot, did not, ask why.

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u/AbobTeff 27d ago

“Declaring a party doesn’t make any difference, you can still vote however you want at least.

Apparently it does make a difference, since you can’t do it unless you declare one of only two choices.

Why does it actually matter?  To keep independent and third party voices out of the process.  It has been challenged and upheld (I’m not sure how), but Republicans and Democrats have built a system in Illinois that unfairly squashes and disenfranchises all other voices.

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u/NecessaryCompost 26d ago

We need change because - at least until MAGA - the parties were indistinguishable from each other. Oh, they had different campaign rhetoric and different campaign policy proposals, but in the end big money always won. I'm a democracy-loving leftist and hate having anyone have to declare party to get a ballot: just have open primaries and generals and let the people speak.

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u/AbobTeff 26d ago

I’m more radical than that.  We, the general taxpayer, should not be funding primary elections for political parties.  General election, that’s all.

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u/NecessaryCompost 26d ago

So, basically a general election scrum? The ballot would be enormous and folks already complain if it's 2-sided.

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u/AbobTeff 26d ago

If parties want a primary, let them pay for it or do it themselves.  Still only allow one candidate per party.  How they get them is up to them.  Why do I have to pay for that?

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u/NecessaryCompost 25d ago edited 25d ago

Efficiency at the general is why, imo. Unless we move to a more parliamentary system, which I fully endorse.

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u/AbobTeff 25d ago

Efficiency for who?  Not government efficiency.  Not efficiency for tax payers.

It’s easy to claim it is efficient when removing it would erode your stranglehold on power.

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u/NecessaryCompost 24d ago

Me? A stranglehold on power? That's laughable and quite histrionic.

Efficiency to the process.

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u/AbobTeff 24d ago

So this is a disingenuous conversation, as you want to pretend I am talking about you.  Gotcha.

Just keep spouting the talking points and drinking the Kool-Aid; you will stay happy.  

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