[Winona Online Democracy]
Paul Double
I believe in summary I was really just trying to make a couple of points.
1) We have a pretty good system in Minnesota and we make it relatively easy
to register and vote. I donot believe that is the case in every state in
the country. I believe that some states still try to effectively restrict
the voting right to a priviledge.
2) Even though the system is pretty good in Minnesota and we enjoy one of
the highest turn out rates in the country, we could make it better if we
were to step back and look at it from the point of view of the voter, by
making the process even more convenient and user friendly more voters could
be drawn into the process.
Also I think we need to remember that not everyone shares the same
commitment to the voting process, a small obstacle can become large in some
peoples eyes.
Paul Olberding
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2000 6:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Winona] Democratic Involvement
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
> I am having a problem understanding some of Paul's Olberding discussion
> points---
>
> 1. How much easier can it be to vote for a Minnesota resident and have
any
> kind of integrity in the voting system? --- All you need is to have a
> Minnesota Drivers License with a current address. If someone is not a
> Minnesota resident they why should they be allowed to vote for our state
or
> local elected officials? I also believe a person is required to get a
> Minnesota Drivers License once the take up residency in the state after 30
> or 60 days.
>
> 3. What paper work? One form! Available at the County Auditors Office or
> City Hall any day of the week and to the best of my knowledge any time of
> the year. It is not easier than getting a checking account, a student
> loan, a telephone or buying a car?
>
> 4. I agree with being able to use technogy in the future but I do not
> believe the integrety of any system is available yet. When it is I believe
> many current voters will be the first to use it.
>
> 5. Absentee Ballots are available specifically to deal with all of the
> points in your fifth comment.
>
> Almost all of what is asked for is in place already -- the problem may be
> in Election Officials communicating just how easy voting is or people
> asking how.
>
>
> Paul Double
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
> >From: "Paul Olberding" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 19:31:13 -0600
>
> >I am going to throw some more ideas into this discussion. (Which I am no
> >expert in.)
> >
> >Perhaps voter turn out is related to how convenient we make it to vote,
this
> >certainly seems to make difference to consumers in their buying/shopping
> >patterns.(It seems to hold true in convenience stores, fast food and
> >banking)
> >
> >1. If we make voter registration easier then we should see a higher turn
> >out. If this is true then the states with the easiest voter registration
> >should see the highest voter turnouts.
> >
> >2. Maybe Governor Ventura is right that the more options/choices you
give
> >people the higher turn out you will see. If this is true you should see
> >higher turnouts in states that make it easiest for candidates to get on
the
> >ballot.
> >
> >3. If we make it easier to vote by cutting down the paperwork at the
polls,
> >offer many convenient locations, offer well staffed sites and a number of
> >voting booths to cut down the time and length of lines this should also
> >encourage additional voter turnout.
> >
> >4. If we offered convenient alternative voting methods in addition to
> >current polling methods it should increase voter participation. Things
like
> >online voting, Touch tone phone response systems, and voting kiosks
similar
> >to an ATM. These certainly would not be for everyone, nor would they
> >replace the current polls, but would make the process more accessible for
> >some people.
> >
> >5. Extend the voting period over a longer time period. and number of
days
> >to make the process more convenient and thereby accessible to more people
> >and schedules. Night shifts and other work schedules would be better
> >served. The current polling times were developed in an era when our
country
> >was much more agrarian in make up.
> >
> >I know that some of these seem real off the wall at this point in time
but I
> >would venture to guess that we will see some of these at least in the
> >future. The need to change to keep up with the changing society is
great,
> >if it does not the population will not support it. I believe that the
> >framers of the constitution envisioned the need for measured change, and
> >maybe the time has come to discontinue the electoral college?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Dwayne Voegeli" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >Sent: Friday, November 10, 2000 2:47 PM
> >Subject: [Winona] Democratic Involvement
> >
> >
> >> [Winona Online Democracy]
> >>
> >> Hello Paul,
> >>
> >> You raised some good points and I won't argue that there will always be
a
> >> few people who prefer to exercise their right not to vote and be heard.
> >>
> >> At the same time, beyond individual laziness, do you think there are
any
> >> systemic reasons for low voter turnout?
> >>
> >> Why do other countries have much higher voter turnouts than the U.S.?
Are
> >> Americans just lazy?
> >>
> >> Isn't there a connection between wealth and voting or are poor people
just
> >> plain lazy?
> >>
> >> Dwayne
> >>
> >> ============
> >>
> >>
> >> >[Winona Online Democracy]
> >> >
> >> >Public Policy is determined by those who show up. That includes the
> >> >elections, City Council, County and School Board meetings and active
> >> >participation in Planning Commissions, Focus Groups etc. Those who
want
> >to
> >> >enjoy the fruits of Democracy also need to make an investment of their
> >time
> >> >and talent. With involvement policies, rules and laws can change but
> >> >those who side on the sidelines may not like the outcome. So get
> >involved,
> >> >strive to make things better or sit back and pay the bills and
complain,
> >> >complain, complain.
> >> >
> >> >Paul Double
> >> >[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >don >Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2000 13:58:20 -0500
> >> >>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >> >>From: Dwayne Voegeli <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >> >>Subject: [Winona] Election Turnout Misperception?
> >> >>Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >> >>
> >> >>[Winona Online Democracy]
> >> >>
> >> >>Hello Paul and Others,
> >> >>
> >> >>In regards to heavy voter turnout, correct me if I'm wrong with this
> >> >statement:
> >> >>
> >> >>The Winona Daily News stated in an article today that the voter
turnout
> >was
> >> >>as high as 85% in some precincts.
> >> >>
> >> >>The article was only talking about people who had already
preregistered.
> >> >>
> >> >>Doesn't that mean that the number does NOT reflect all the people who
> >have
> >> >>not registered to vote?
> >> >>
> >> >>Am I accurate?
> >> >>
> >> >>If so, even though the number is nice, it does not represent the
numbers
> >of
> >> >>all potential voters.
> >> >>
> >> >>What do you think?
> >> >>
> >> >>Dwayne
> >> >>
> >> >>==============
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>>Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2000 09:33:35 -0600 (CST)
> >> >>>X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >> >>>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >> >>>From: Paul Double <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >> >>>Subject: [Winona] Elections
> >> >>>Mime-Version: 1.0
> >> >>>Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >> >>>Precedence: bulk
> >> >>>
> >> >>>I second your comment. It was a long but good day. Lots of people
> >> >>>registering to vote either as new voters or because of relocation.
I
> >> >>>believe many precincts were close to 85 percent turnout.
> >> >>>The new Secretary of State web site is also a big plus in getting
the
> >> >>>details and breakdowns. http://elections.sos.state.mn.us
> >> >>>
> >> >>>Paul Double
> >> >>>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >> >>>
> >> >>>>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >> >>>>Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 15:15:49 EST
> >> >>>>Subject: [Winona] Elections
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>> I really enjoy being able to be an election judge, working to
> >continue
> >> >>>>our great process that we have. It's amazing how everyone is able
to
> >set
> >> >>>>their political adgendas aside and work for more than 15 hrs
together
> >with
> >> >>>>the common goal of helping every eligible voter exercise their
right
> >to
> >> >vote
> >> >>>>within the rules provided.
> >> >>>> The head judges are really very important members of our
> >community,
> >> >>>>doing their best to maintain these rules. We have a great
process!
> >> >It's
> >> >>>>a lot to be proud of!
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Kathleen
> >Giebel
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>>Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:WinonaEl (TEXT/ttxt) (0001F10E)
> >> >>>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>----------------
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> >> >>
> >> >>
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> >>
> >>
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> >>
> >
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> >
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