Comments on: Ann Arbor Election Day: Nov. 5, 2013

By: Glacial Erratic

Glacial Erratic — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 00:17:04 +0000

Not clarifying as much as you might think, Joan. ID does NOT equal “license,” and the implication on the part of multiple election workers that is does is not acceptable. If the training leaves the ability in any way to persistently convey this misconception in place, it’s not adequate.

And if you want to actually say “hey, some people get dissuaded but they’re no loss because of [x],” say it, or if having to ENGAGE IN SUSTAINED ARGUMENT WITH POLL WORKERS despite having fully legal ID is the price of voting for some folks and you’re okay with that, say that too.

By: Joan Lowenstein

Joan Lowenstein — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 22:10:46 +0000

Maybe this will clear up the ID questions: I was an election inspector a year ago and did go through the very thorough training from the city clerk’s office. If you have no ID with you, you are allowed to sign an affidavit. If you simply refuse to show ID, you are not supposed to be allowed to sign an affidavit. So, as with the TSA people at the airport, be careful about being contrary.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 17:25:00 +0000

It was delightful. We get pretty bound up in all the political tension and this whimsical bit of humor was a gift. That’s the Ann Arbor I love.

By: Jack Eaton

Jack Eaton — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 15:04:35 +0000

Re (18)- Lighten up John. The 20 Pound Carp’s campaign was intended as humor, something our local politics could use more of. The Chronicle reporters merely were trying to convey that sense of humor.

As it turns out, 20 Pound Carp turned out to be a formidable opponent. This self-described fish received more support than the other write-in candidate, a self-described progressive. Ultimately, I received a few more votes than the two write-in candidates combined.

By: John Floyd

John Floyd — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 06:01:25 +0000

“As fish go, a carp makes pretty good Eaton.”

Was this really necessary?

By: Jim Rees

Jim Rees — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 12:59:19 +0000

John, I count four incidents. Two from Glacial and two more from me. And I’ve experienced many other incidents, I only listed the one when I was turned away and the one from this election.

By: johnboy

johnboy — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 04:00:53 +0000

Donna, I think your conclusion that the poll workers training is inadequate is rather rash considering it is based on an single incident. Mr. Elton being told to go to the end of the line, a line of one, is obviously a joke.

By: Donna Estabrook

Donna Estabrook — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 01:43:22 +0000

A couple of years ago I also would not show my ID at the polls. I signed the affidavit but was not made to go to the end of the line (there were a few people behind me in line.) It seems from some of the comments here that the poll workers are not given adequate training.

By: Bob Elton

Bob Elton — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 01:53:51 +0000

A couple of years ago, when I was feeling ornery, I refused to show my driver’s license as ID, and asked to sign an affidavit. The poll worker said that was no problem, but that I had to go to the end of the line. Since I was the only voter in line, or anywhere else at the polling place at that moment, it was no problem.

By: David Cahill

David Cahill — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 01:21:32 +0000

Sabra has won a landslide victory in the First Ward, cruising to an easy triumph for her fourth term over Jeff Hayner. Here are some of the first results:

Precincts 1-5 & 1-6 combined: Briere 239, Hayner 120, Vresics 6, Write-in 1.

Precinct 1-10: Briere 199, Hayner 104, Vresics 4, Write-In 1.

Our running total as other results come in: 66% to 31%.

So it’s steady 2-1 everywhere.