[Winona Online Democracy]
Paul,
I also think voting can be intimidating, if not difficult. You get to your
polling place and everyone else seems to know what to do. No one asks you
if you need help, and most election judges have been doing their job for so
long, they forget that some people may be intimidated. Personally I think
they should have "1st time voter" stickers at the door. Then the judges
will know that this is someone who needs a little guidance and extra
kindness.
Cherisa Templeton
>From: "Paul Olberding" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Re: [Winona] Democratic Involvement
>Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 18:31:45 -0600
>
>[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)
> > >> >>>
> > >> >>
> > >> >>
> > >> >>----------------
> > >> >>This message was posted to the Winona Online Democracy Project.
> > >> >>Please visit http://onlinedemocracy.winona.org to subscribe or
> > >unsubscribe.
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> > >> >>
> > >> >>
> > >> >>
> > >> >----------------
> > >> >This message was posted to the Winona Online Democracy Project.
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> > >>
> > >>
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> > >
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>----------------
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