Features, Releases to
the Media, Election
Information, Referendums, Meet the
Candidates, Letters
of Endorsement, Calendar of
Events, District Maps
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Features |
A day in the life
of an election judge
[NOV. 4, 2002]
Help wanted: Election Judge.
Friendly, civic-minded person to work 15-hour day with no breaks,
1-2 days a year. $75 per day, $25 bonus for attending instruction.
Two-year commitment required. See your local precinct committeeman.
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Do you ever wonder on Election Day who
would be willing to work 15 hours straight for just above minimum
wage? In the 44 Logan County precincts, 220 dedicated citizens will
do just that on Nov. 5.
Marian Adams, an Atlanta election judge
for 21 years, said she sets her alarm for 4:15 a.m. so she can reach
the City Hall boardroom by 5 to prepare for the 6 o’clock opening of
the polls. Among set-up jobs are checking all voting devices to see
that they have the right candidate lists, marking all voting booths
and placing a "Polling Place" sign in a visible spot. Staff of Logan
County Clerk Sally Litterly have already set up the booths and
ballot box.
At the other end of the day it takes
Adams and the other four judges at Atlanta 3 about an hour and 15
minutes to process absentee votes, count ballots cast, remove chads
and check for write-in votes. "We’re the last precinct to get done,"
she confessed. Then there’s still the 20-minute drive to the
courthouse.
"It’s a long day," Adams admitted, "but
I like to see the results and who has gotten out to vote." She also
sees purpose in the job: "It’s doing our part for the community in
which we live."
Tom Lowe, East Lincoln 8 judge for 12
years, said there are personal benefits. "I get to meet some people
I see only at election time," he noted. "I feel like I’m doing
something I like to be into. I’ve always been interested in
politics."
Litterly underscored the judges’
importance: "It’s necessary to have judges of both parties to
guarantee the integrity of the election." Her day is even longer
than theirs. She typically reaches the courthouse by 4:30 a.m. and
stays until midnight or later.
During a major election five judges
staff each of the 44 polling places in the county. Two are
Democrats, and three are Republicans. West Lincoln 8 judge Brenda
Short, who has been on the job for 18 years, said there are four
stations. The first person pulls the appropriate application, asks
the voter to sign and offers instruction in voting. Next, two judges
of different parties check the registration book to verify the
voter’s signature and address and mark the voter’s record. The next
judge initials the appropriate ballot or ballots, gives them to the
voter, and keeps a running total of ballots. The last judge receives
the punched ballots and places them in the ballot box.
Sometimes the voter is not registered
in the precinct. In that case judges try to discover the correct
polling place and direct the person there. The last resort on this
issue, as on any other that arises, is a call to Litterly’s office.
She said she fields questions all day, but some are hypothetical
rather than immediate.
Adams explained that her precinct’s
biggest problem with voters in the wrong place occurred when Atlanta
2 was split. Citizens on the north side of Vine Street were
inadvertently assigned to the wrong precinct. Eventually, three or
four people had to drive to Lincoln to clear up their registration.
One voter still refuses to make the drive, Adams noted.
Short said her precinct once received
the wrong binder of registration cards. Fortunately, the judges
quickly ascertained whose binder they had and exchanged with that
precinct.
Handing out ballots seems an easy task
but can be complicated when different voters get different ballots.
This happens in primary elections when voters must get the ballot
for the correct party. It also happens when a person has recently
moved and is entitled to vote for federal but not local offices. And
it occurs when different districts vote at the same place. Then some
voters get a particular ballot, such as a tax referendum, while
others don’t.
Lowe said the recent switch to electing
county board members by district created a problem because two
different districts vote at East Lincoln 8. He said it took 10
minutes to figure out which ballots to use for each district,
identify the corresponding vote recorders and rename the booths.
Only an election judge may place the
ballot in the ballot box. This judge first checks for the ballot
distribution judge’s initials, without removing the ballot from the
envelope.
Judges rotate positions during the day
so all are familiar with every process.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
Voters often notice the lineup of
chips, sandwiches and other goodies. For the most part these are
brought by the judges themselves. Short said sometimes a precinct
committeeman or even a candidate brings a box of doughnuts. Casey’s
General Store supplies pizza slices and chicken strips to all three
Atlanta precincts, and one time a Beich employee brought candy,
Adams recalled. Judges eat at their stations but try to keep the
tables neat.
As far as the obvious need for a break,
the election judge manual says, "When the polls are open, one judge
at a time may leave the polling place for a very brief period, and
only when absolutely necessary." Judges must sign in and out for
their absences.
Occasionally citizens, especially those
new to the county, are confused about the voting procedure. "It’s
amazing that people don’t want to ask for help," Short commented. As
a result, sometimes ballots are spoiled and have to be replaced.
Lowe said that at his precinct people sometimes try to punch their
ballots using the pencil provided for write-in votes. Judges then
have to clean the lead out of the device.
Adams said a problem in primary
elections is that voters are reluctant to state their party and
sometimes do so in a whisper so soft the judge cannot hear. She
attributes the lower turnout for primary elections to this same
reluctance.
Inappropriate attempts to influence
other voters are rare but do occasionally occur. At East Lincoln 8,
judges have removed a note naming a write-in candidate from a
polling booth. Lowe said people sometimes write on the candidate
list, so judges must check periodically to see that nothing has been
tampered with. In Atlanta an unidentified telephone number was once
found written on a voting device at the end of the day. Short said
that in one election she had to check booths frequently because
people were writing "Vote for Candidate X" on the device. In such a
case, judges first try to erase the message completely. If that is
not possible, it’s time for a call to Litterly for a new device.
Once the polls close at 7 p.m., judges
check to see that the number of ballots equals the number of
applications. Adams said that in her precinct a careful recount has
always resulted in the expected number. Short observed that skipping
a number on the applications is the most common reason for an
apparent mismatch.
Absentee ballots are processed after
voting ends, because if people come to the polls, their prior
absentee ballots are discarded. Lowe said someone once voted
absentee on a sample ballot, which had to be considered spoiled.
The manual gives procedures for various
discrepancies. If more votes are cast than applications filled out,
ballots are withdrawn at random to make the counts match. If a
person over-votes, for example writing in a name and also punching
one for the same office, two judges of different parties fill out a
new ballot marking the voter’s choices for all other offices. If
chads or wrinkling make the ballot uncountable, again two judges
revote it. Adams, Lowe and Short all said they have never
encountered these problems.
Depending on the number voting and the
judges’ speed, closing procedures may take 30 minutes to an hour and
a half. When everything is in order and the necessary forms are
signed, a Republican and a Democratic judge drive the ballots and
other materials to the courthouse for the official count. Then it’s
home for a well-earned rest. "The next day you’re really kind of
exhausted," Lowe observed.
Short said she wishes the day could be
shortened, but consolidating school board and general elections has
helped. Sometimes for board elections her precinct drew only about
20 voters, making for a boring and expensive day.
It costs
$22,000 to pay Logan County judges for one election and somewhat
less if a few skip the biennial instruction. For a smaller election
with only three judges per precinct, it still costs $13,200. And
that doesn’t count other expenses, such as printing the ballots,
staff overtime and polling place rental. The state pays the $25 per
judge for training, but the county bears the rest of the expense.
[Lynn
Spellman] |
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Releases
to the Media
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Carl Oblinger announces proposal to
reopen Lincoln Developmental Center
[NOV. 4, 2002]
Carl Oblinger, candidate for
the Illinois House of Representatives, announced a proposal on Oct.
30 to reopen the Lincoln Developmental Center in Lincoln.
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Oblinger will push for legislation to
create a three-member commission with representatives of the
Illinois Department of Human Services, the employees of the Lincoln
Developmental Center and LDC client families. The commission would
evaluate which patients in the DHS system would benefit from being
transferred to LDC, develop a schedule to reopen the facility and
recall employees, and formulate the necessary funding requests for
the 2004 state budget.
"We still
have valuable, skilled staff members and a physical plant at the
Lincoln Developmental Center capable of meeting the needs of the
developmentally disabled citizens of the state," said Oblinger.
"Under a new administration we can find the means to reopen the
Lincoln Developmental Center and better meet the needs of Illinois’
most vulnerable citizens." |
Oblinger again criticized the Ryan
administration for the failures at the LDC. "Governor Ryan appointed
an unqualified administration at the facility and did not correct
problems in a timely manner," said Oblinger.
"The governor packed the Health
Facilities Planning Board to assure the board’s agreements to close
LDC. And the Ryan administration failed to address the overall
quality of care for patients throughout Illinois and how the closure
of LDC would affect those services," added Oblinger.
Oblinger
also criticized his opponent, Rich Brauer, for failing to support
the community’s efforts to save the center. "I think Rich Brauer’s
priorities are wrong and will harm the Lincoln economy as well as
the developmentally disabled citizens of Illinois," he said.
[News
release]
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Justice John Turner
supported
[OCT.
31, 2002]
Justice John Turner,
candidate for the 4th District Appellate Court, announced Wednesday
that he has received the support of 21 of the state’s attorneys from
the 30 counties comprising the 4th Judicial District.
|
Justice Turner indicated that his support
from the state’s attorneys is in recognition of the breadth of his
experience in criminal law, public safety and law enforcement.
Turner has been serving on the appellate court since June 1, 2001,
following his unanimous appointment by the Illinois Supreme Court.
"In this time when homeland security is
the main focus across America, I am pleased to have the support of
chief law enforcement officers in the 30-county area I serve," said
Turner.
The state’s
attorneys serve the following counties: Adams, Brown, Champaign,
Clark, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Livingston, Logan,
McLean, Macon, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Moultrie, Sangamon, Schuyler,
Vermilion and Woodford.
|
Turner said
he is proud to add the state’s attorneys to those already supporting
his candidacy, including former Chief Justice Ben Miller, former
Gov. Jim Edgar, the Illinois Civil Justice League, National
Federation of Independent Businesses, the Illinois Education
Association and the Illinois Committee For Honest Government. He has
also been endorsed by the State Journal-Register and the Chicago
Tribune.
[News
release]
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Turner
receives endorsement from
Committee For Honest Government
[OCT.
11, 2002]
Justice John Turner,
candidate for the 4th District Appellate Court, announced he has
received the endorsement of the Illinois Committee For Honest
Government. Turner has been serving on the appellate court since
June 1, 2001, following his appointment by the Illinois Supreme
Court.
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The Illinois Committee for Honest
Government was formed in 1986 to work for a variety of reforms and
to promote increased responsiveness in all levels and branches of
government. After evaluating Turner's credentials the committee
found Justice Turner clearly worthy of the organization’s support,
stating, "Turner will be an outstanding member of the appellate
court."
Judge Turner is a former lawmaker,
having served in the Illinois General Assembly from 1994-2001. He
was a member of the House Judiciary Criminal Law Committee,
Prosecutorial Misconduct Committee and Spokesman of the House
Judiciary Civil Law Committee. Prior to his seven-year stint as a
lawmaker, Turner was twice elected as Logan County state’s attorney.
Turner is also the former Logan County public defender, and he was
engaged in a private law practice, most recently with the firm Kelly
& Turner, P.C.
[to top of second column in this
article]
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"My many years of practice in the
courtroom, as well as my experience as a lawmaker, are serving me
well on the bench. I immensely enjoy my duties on the appellate
court, and I thank the justices of the Illinois Supreme Court for
the faith and trust they reposed in me by appointing me as an
appellate court justice," said Turner.
Turner lives in rural Atlanta with his
wife, Kim, and their 9-year-old son, Jack. Justice Turner has been
campaigning in all 30 counties comprising the 4th Judicial District.
"I am taking
my message to the good people who live in the 4th District. I am
working hard for them on the bench, and I am working well with the
other justices on the court. I have participated in handing down
hundreds of decisions, and I am asking the citizens of the 4th
District to allow my continued service," Turner said.
[Press
release]
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Lisa
Madigan: Loan raises serious ethical questions
[SEPT.
27, 2002]
CHICAGO — A spokesperson for
Democratic attorney general candidate Lisa Madigan today called on
DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett to immediately pay back a
$10,000 loan that Birkett admits he solicited from DuPage County
Circuit Judge John Elsner to support his campaign. Birkett says he
intends to repay the loan only after the election is over
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"This practice of a state’s attorney
soliciting and accepting a loan from a sitting judge in his home
county raises serious ethical questions and undermines the public’s
faith in a fair and impartial judicial process," Melissa Merz said.
"Paying back the loan after the election is like returning groceries
after you’ve eaten them. It does nothing to correct the potential
conflict of interest between Birkett and Judge Elsner."
Birkett has been under fire in recent
weeks for accepting contributions and loans from defense attorneys
involved in plea bargaining to get lighter sentences for their
clients. In addition, he has solicited and received loans from
well-connected DuPage County criminal defense attorneys. Birkett
received loans of $100,000 from DuPage County lawyer Tim Martin and
$10,000 from attorney Terry Ekl. Martin and Ekl, Birkett’s former
campaign manager, both represent clients being prosecuted by Birkett.
Martin’s firm played up its insider
connection with Birkett’s office in a promotional brochure that
boasts of the firm’s "knowledge and ability to conduct very
favorable plea negotiations." Another part of the brochure says the
firm can often "win your case by filing a motion to quash arrest and
suppress evidence."
[to top of second column in this
article] |
In another case, a lawyer who
contributed $3,100 to Birkett’s campaign secured a plea bargain that
resulted in a sentence of probation, and 34 days of jail time
already served, for a man who attempted to murder his wife by
pushing her into a fire.
Since August 1995, Birkett has received
approximately $244,430 in direct contributions from criminal defense
attorneys located in DuPage County. He has received approximately
$141,000 in loans from the same group during the same time period.
"A clear
pattern has emerged in DuPage County that shows a tight circle of
well-connected lawyers manipulating the criminal justice system to
their benefit. Joe Birkett is at the center of that circle," Merz
said
[Press
release]
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Election Information |
Voting
tips for Election Day
[NOV. 4, 2002]
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-
Be sure
to insert your ballot card completely into the machine, number
side up.
-
Use the
metal stylus to punch candidate(s) of your choice.
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Read
instructions on the ballot pages for each office.
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After
voting, remove ballot card and verify for accuracy.
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Be sure
all paper chads are removed and the ballot card has not been bent
or torn.
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If you
have made an error, return the ballot card to an election judge.
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If the
vote recorder is not working properly, notify an election judge
immediately.
[From Logan County Clerk Sally
J. Litterly] |
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Sample ballot
[NOV. 4, 2002]
There
are many different ballot styles for Logan County. We at LDN
have provided a compilation sample ballot of all styles. On
sections where no styles are indicated, all styles vote. See
below to determine which style is yours. If there are more
than one style listed for your precinct, you will be given a style
when you get to your polling place tomorrow. Please note, you
will vote for the same districts as those you voted on in the
primaries. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call
the Logan County clerk’s office at 732-4148.
Click here for the sample ballot.
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Precinct |
Style(s) |
Aetna |
12, 14, 15 |
Atlanta 1 |
5, 6 |
Atlanta 2 |
6 |
Atlanta 3 |
6 |
Broadwell |
23, 26 |
Chester |
13, 14, 30, 31 |
Corwin |
25 |
East Lincoln 1 |
32 |
East Lincoln 2 |
32 |
East Lincoln 3 |
32 |
East Lincoln 4 |
19, 20 |
East Lincoln 5 |
20, 21, 22, 36 |
East Lincoln 6 |
32 |
East Lincoln 7 |
32 |
East Lincoln 8 |
32, 33 |
East Lincoln 9 |
20, 21, 22, 36 |
East Lincoln 10 |
20 |
East Lincoln 12 |
20, 22 |
Elkhart 1 |
25, 27 |
Elkhart 2 |
24, 27 |
Eminence |
6, 7, 8 |
[to top of second column
in this article]
|
Precinct |
Style(s) |
Hurlbut |
25, 27 |
Laenna |
13, 16 |
Lake Fork |
13, 16 |
Mount Pulaski 1 |
12 |
Mount Pulaski 2 |
12 |
Mount Pulaski 3 |
12 |
Mount Pulaski 4 |
12 |
Oran |
17, 18 |
Orvil 1 |
2, 3 |
Orvil 2 |
2 |
Prairie Creek |
2, 4 |
Sheridan |
2 |
West Lincoln 1 |
32 |
West Lincoln 2 |
34 |
West Lincoln 3 |
34 |
West Lincoln 4 |
34 |
West Lincoln 5 |
34 |
West Lincoln 6 |
29 |
West Lincoln 7 |
2, 9, 10, 11, 25, 28 |
West Lincoln 8 |
34 |
West Lincoln 9 |
34 |
West Lincoln 10 |
34 |
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New
district information for voters
Logan
County divisions create new representative and legislative districts
County
board is also by districts now
[OCT.
4, 2002]
Logan County has been
divided into the 87th and 100th representative districts through the
state’s redistricting process. The division has also created new
legislative districts for senators. The 87th and 88th representative
districts will now form the 44th Legislative District, and the 99th
and 100th representative districts create the 50th Legislative
District.
|
Most of the northern and southeastern
portions of Logan County are in the 87th Representative District and
44th Legislative District. The southwest portion of the county and
the majority of Lincoln are situated in the 100th Representative
District and 50th Legislative District.
Logan County will also have new county
board districts.
District 1: Atlanta 1, Atlanta 2,
Atlanta 3, Eminence, Orvil 1, Orvil 2, Prairie Creek, Sheridan and
part of West Lincoln 7 (north of Route 10 West and Interstate 55).
District 2: Broadwell, Corwin, Elkhart
1, Elkhart 2, Hurlbut, West Lincoln 6 and part of West Lincoln 7
(south of Route 10 West and Interstate 55)
District 3: Mount Pulaski 1, Mount
Pulaski 2, Mount Pulaski 3, Mount Pulaski 4, Aetna, Chester, Lake
Fork, Oran and Laenna.
District 4: East Lincoln 1, East
Lincoln 2, East Lincoln 3, East Lincoln 6, East Lincoln 8 (part) and
West Lincoln 1.
District 5: West Lincoln 2, West
Lincoln 3, West Lincoln 4, West Lincoln 5, West Lincoln 8, West
Lincoln 9 and West Lincoln 10.
District 6:
East Lincoln 4, East Lincoln 5, East Lincoln 8 (part), East Lincoln
9, East Lincoln 10, East Lincoln 11 and East Lincoln 12.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
Districts are printed on the
registration cards that voters received earlier in the year. If you
are confused about your voting districts, please feel free to
contact the county clerk’s office in the courthouse in Lincoln.
If you need to change your address,
have incorrect information on your voter registration card, or have
married and changed your name, it is necessary for you to contact
our office by Oct. 8 in order to be eligible to cast a full ballot
in the Nov. 5 general election.
As always,
we encourage your participation in the election process. It is
through the process of democracy that our great nation will continue
to enjoy the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness.
[Sally J. Litterly, Logan
County clerk and recorder]
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Register to vote in
the
November general election
[SEPT.
27, 2002]
SPRINGFIELD –– Illinois
Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding citizens that Oct. 8 is
the deadline for applying to register to vote in the Nov. 5 general
election through the motor voter program. The secretary of state’s
office gives citizens the opportunity to fill out an application to
register to vote when applying for or renewing a driver’s license or
state identification card. However, the secretary of state’s office
only sends the application to the voter’s election authority, which
is responsible for registering voters.
|
"Voting is one of our most precious
rights that we cannot and should not ignore," White said,
"especially at a time when America is uniting to exercise the very
freedoms upon which this country was founded."
White said that all secretary of state
facilities take applications for registration through the motor
voter program from those who come to the facility to obtain or renew
their drivers’ licenses or identification cards. But after Oct. 8,
people who file applications through the motor voter program will
not be registered for the general election on Nov. 5.
|
In 2000, White formed a committee
headed by Dr. Paul Green of Roosevelt University’s School of Policy
Studies that reviewed the motor voter program and recommended a
number of changes. The secretary of state’s office has implemented
those changes to streamline the motor voter program and make it more
efficient.
For more
information on voter registration, call the Illinois State Board of
Elections at (217) 782-4141.
[Press
release] |
|
Lincoln alderman candidate petitions available
[SEPT.
20, 2002]
Public notice:
Petitions for nomination of candidates
for alderman for the city of Lincoln consolidated primary election to be
held Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2003, are available in the city clerk’s
office at City Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
(except holidays).
[Juanita Josserand, city
clerk] |
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Referendums |
Lincoln sales tax
referendum
Chester-East
Lincoln School referendum
|
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City
issues fact statement
on sales tax referendum
[OCT. 22, 2002]
The Lincoln City Council, in
an effort to promote the sales tax referendum that will be on the
ballot Nov. 5, has issued a fact sheet explaining the tax. Aldermen
will be passing out the sheet to city voters.
Compiled by city treasurer Les Plotner,
the fact sheet explains what the tax will cost and why it is needed.
Because of historically low interest rates and also lower sales tax
revenue, the city has no money to upgrade its infrastructure,
Plotner said. There is no money for street repair in the current
city budget, he pointed out, not because the council doesn’t see the
need but because funds are not available.
The projected annual income of $550,000
from the tax increase will be used only for improvements to city
streets and alleys, drains and sewer line extensions, and other
infrastructure.
See
fact sheet below.
[Joan Crabb] |
|
Fact sheet on sales tax
referendum
|
• The voters of Lincoln
will have the opportunity to vote on the sales tax increase
referendum at the general election on TUESDAY, NOV. 5.
Your city council in Lincoln is asking you to approve an increase of
one-half of 1 percent on the Retailers’ Occupation Tax, which is
commonly known as the SALES TAX.
• People want to know how
such an increase in the sales tax would affect them. Perhaps the
following examples will give people an idea about how the sales tax
increase would directly affect them as individuals purchasing
various items:
Consumer pays $10 for a pair of gloves.
Increased tax cost, 5 cents.
Consumer pays $50 for two gallons of
paint.
Increased tax cost, 25 cents.
Consumer pays $100 for a new lamp.
Increased tax cost, 50 cents.
• The new sales tax WOULD
NOT be imposed on certain items. It would not be added to food
products people purchase for home consumption. Other items that are
exempt from the increased sales tax include prescription and
nonprescription medicines, drugs, medical appliances, insulin, urine
testing materials, syringes and needles used for diabetics. In
addition, the tax WOULD NOT be charged on the sale of motor
vehicles.
[to top of second column in
this section] |
• The burden of a sales
tax would be spread out over anyone who purchases items in Lincoln,
including out-of-town shoppers. Lincoln has one of the lowest sales
tax rates among the larger cities in the central Illinois area.
• Lincoln has a desperate
need to expand and improve our public infrastructure. We simply
don’t have the funds to complete projects or to maintain our current
infrastructure, nor do we have the funding for future growth
expansion.
• What does this word
"INFRASTRUCTURE" mean? Public infrastructure includes streets and
roads, bridges, access roads, sidewalks, sewer line extensions,
storm water drainage, and sewer treatment facilities.
•
Based upon current projections the city
of Lincoln should be able to realize about $550,000 each year in
increased revenues as a result of the sales tax increase. The
increased revenues must by law be used to update the city’s
infrastructure system.
[Compiled by Les Plotner, city
treasurer] |
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Meet the Candidates
|
Links
to candidate
information on the Web |
Area Illinois Senate, 44th District
Bill Brady (R):
http://www.citizensforbillbrady.com
Gerald A. Bradley (D):
no website available
Illinois Senate, 50th District
Larry Bomke (R):
http://www.legis.state.il.us/bios/senate/
BOMKE.html
Don
Tracy (D):
wtracy56@msn.com
Citizens for Tracy
Illinois House, 100th District
Rich Brauer (R):
http://www.richbrauer.com
Carl Oblinger (D):
no website available
Illinois Supreme Court, 4th District
Rita Garman (R):
http://www.ritabgarman.com/
Sue
Myerscough (D):
http://www.illinoisjudges2000.com/
Courts-Candidates-Myerscough.htm Illinois
Appellate Court, 4th District
John Turner (R):
http://www.illinoisjudges2000.com/Courts-Candidates-Turner.htm
Bill Trapp (D):
http://www.illinoisjudges2000.com/Courts-Candidates-Trapp.htm
U.S. House of Representatives,
18th District
Ray LaHood (R):
http://www.raylahood.com |
Statewide
U.S. Senate
Jim Durkin (R):
http://www.durkinforsenate.org
Dick Durbin (D):
http://www.durbinforsenate.com/
Steven Burgauer (L):
http://www.burgauer2002.com/
Governor/Lieutenant
Jim
Ryan/Carl Hawkinson (R):
http://www.jimryanforgovernor.com/
Rod
Blagojevich/Pat Quinn (D):
http://www.rodforus.com/
http://www.votequinn.com/
Cal
Skinner/James Tobin (L):
http://www.skinnerforgovernor.org/
Marisellis Brown (I):
no website available
Attorney general
Joe
Birkett (R):
http://www.joebirkett.com/
Lisa Madigan (D):
http://www.lisamadigan.org/
Gary Shilts (L):
Secretary of state
Kristine O'Rourke Cohn (R):
http://www.cohn2002.com
Jesse White (D):
http://www.sos.state.il.us/
Matt Beauchamp (L):
http://www.15orfree.com
Treasurer
Judy Baar Topinka (R):
http://www.state.il.us/treas/
http://www.judybaartopinka.com
Thomas Dart (D):
http://www.tomdart.com
Rhys Read (L):
http://www.readfortreasurer.org/
Comptroller
Thomas Jefferson Ramsdell (R):
http://www.vote4ramsdell.com
Daniel Hynes (D):
http://www.ioc.state.il.us/
http://www.friendsofdan.com
Julie Fox (L):
http://www.JulieFox.org
|
|
Letters
of Endorsement
|
The Lincoln
Daily News publishes letters to the editor as they are
received.
The letters are not edited in content and do not
necessarily reflect
the views of Lincoln Daily News.
Lincoln
Daily News requests that writers responding to controversial
issues address the issue and refrain from personal attacks.
Thank you!
|
|
Attorney
general’s conduct was appropriate |
Dear
Editor:
I am writing in regard to Rod
Blagojevich’s television ads using "ordinary citizens" who accuse
Attorney General Jim Ryan of failing to investigate the
"licenses-for-bribes" scandal in the secretary of state’s office.
His accusation is knowingly false and purposely misleading.
Attorney
General Ryan has been asked about this subject repeatedly over the
course of his campaign for governor. He has stated that the
investigation into the corruption in George Ryan’s office was a
federal investigation from the beginning. To launch a parallel
investigation by the attorney general would have been irresponsible.
But don’t take his word for it. Jim Bums (a former Democratic
candidate for governor) was the U.S. attorney when this
investigation started. He believes that Jim Ryan acted properly in
staying out of the federal investigators’ way and not interfering.
Former U.S. Attorneys Dan Webb, Anton Valukas, Bill Roberts and Sam
Skinner have described Blagojevich’s assertions as "ridiculous."
[to top of second column in this
letter] |
Former New York Mayor and U.S. Attorney
Rudy Giuliani has said that if Jim Ryan had launched his own
investigation he would be defending himself against accusations of
interfering with a federal investigation.
Not one law enforcement official in the
state has been willing to stand up in support of Blagojevich’s claim
that Jim Ryan neglected his duties. In fact, every law enforcement
official, without exception, called upon to comment on this matter
has indicated that Jim Ryan’s conduct was proper. Nonetheless,
Blagojevich continues to spend millions smearing Jim Ryan with these
baseless allegations to deceive voters.
Blagojevich must think that voters will
mindlessly accept anything they are told. I believe he is wrong and
that the good people of our state are a great deal smarter than he
gives us credit for. Jim Ryan is a person of honor and integrity who
would not compromise that integrity for votes. That is why I will be
casting my vote for Jim Ryan.
Sincerely,
Carla Bender
Lincoln
(posted 11-4-02)
|
|
Heartland Community College
Your pathway to lifelong learning!
Community
Education Class through the Lincoln Center of HCC
For more
information or to register,
call 735-1731,
stop by HCC at 620 Broadway,
or go online at
hcc.cc.il.us/CCE |
Classes currently
available:
So You Want to Buy a
Horse
6:30-8:30 pm, 11/6 & 13,
TC Stables
Check online for classes on
the Normal campus
What classes
would you like to see?
Email
kristi.powell@heartland.edu
with your suggestions! |
Lincolndailynews.com
is the place to
advertise
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or e-mail
ads@lincolndailynews.com |
|
|
Questions Bomke’s office
expenses |
Dear
Editor:
It’s time for Sen. Larry Bomke to tell
"the rest of the story." Sen. Bomke has repeatedly stated in
brochures and radio campaign ads that he has given back $275,000 of
his district office money to the state. He also has never refuted
the Chicago Sun-Times article (Feb. 25, 2001) that he is one of the
"most frugal legislators" and spends only $20,000 a year for office
expenses.
How does Sen. Bomke pay for his
full-time legislative aide, his legislative secretary, his regular
office expenses, his districtwide "Legislative Updates," his
"Business Updates" and targeted mailings to special groups?
Certainly he could not even pay his full-time legislative aide who
has been with him for six years for $20,000 a year. This concerns me
because it means that someone else is paying for his expenses. I
have heard that he uses unaccounted side funds controlled by Sen.
President Pate Phillip to pay his office costs. This allows him to
"give back" most of his $67,000 yearly budget. While he praises
himself for being a "good guardian of taxpayer money," he doesn’t
account for how much money he spends or the source.
[to top of second column in this
letter] |
How much does this senator’s office
cost the taxpayers each year? Citizens have no way to find out,
because we don’t know which funds he is using and how much he spends
from each. He can’t say he is for honesty and integrity in
government if he isn’t honest about how much money he spends for his
district office. Sen. Bomke, will you let us know how much taxpayer
money is spent to run your office and from which accounts the
expenses are paid?
Sincerely,
Pat Graham
(posted 11-4-02)
|
|
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732-7443
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|
Nichols --
qualified choice for sheriff |
To the
editor:
Steve Nichols is our Republican
candidate for Logan County Sheriff. As a law enforcement
professional, Steve has been serving the people of the state of
Illinois for 18 years. He spent nine years as an Illinois state
trooper and has been a criminal investigator with the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services for the past 11 years.
Steve graduated from Western Illinois
University with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement
administration. He is an experienced leader and now trains others on
forensic and criminal investigation techniques and procedures.
Successful
law enforcement today requires expertise and creative management
from our law enforcement officials, not just maintenance of the
status quo. Steve will restore respect and professionalism to the
office of sheriff, hire qualified professionals, provide valuable
training, and maintain performance standards for sheriff’s deputies. |
We urge the people of Logan County to
go out to your voting polls on Nov. 5 and vote for an experienced
leader, Steve Nichols for Logan County sheriff. Let’s let him put
his skills, experience and common-sense approach to work for us. We
sincerely believe with cooperation and teamwork he and his
staff can and will make a difference for us and for the youth
in Logan County.
Kent and Jill Hower
Lincoln
(posted 10-31-02)
|
|
Against
Joe Birkett |
Dear
Editor:
I have been a Republican for the past
20 years, but I would like my fellow Republicans to know why they
should not vote for Joe Birkett.
As state’s attorney for DuPage County,
Birkett’s office chose to prosecute a disabled child for being late
to school, though they knew the child’s disability is what caused
him to be late, and the school record showed his tardiness was
excused. Birkett’s theory was that being five minutes late was the
same as being truant for the entire day, even though the law says
the opposite.
For 11
months Birkett’s men prosecuted this disabled boy, his pregnant
mother and his physician father. Then they simply decided not to
prosecute any further. There was no statement of innocence, no
apology — just a prosecutor and a judge smirking at the family that
they tore apart. |
I would like your readers to know that
Joe Birkett is not the kind of man we want in office. We all want
law and order, but this is not the sort of man who will give it to
us. Too much American blood has been spilled in the cause of freedom
to allow this type of man to take it away.
No honest man or woman is safe when Joe
Birkett is in office.
Please vote against Birkett.
Christian P. Struven, M.D.
Plainfield
(posted 10-30-02)
|
|
Vote no on sales tax
increase |
To the
editor:
This letter is in response to the
letter from Aldermen Verl Prather and Steve Fuhrer in support of
raising our taxes again.
These two aldermen failed to remind the
citizens of Lincoln that the city council, along with the support of
Mayor Beth Davis, increased our sewerage bill to $56 earlier this
year. It is my understanding that we will be receiving our second
sewerage bill increase in January, as they promised us earlier this
year.
The city council also increased our
water bills, by over 18 percent, earlier this year.
If these tax increases aren’t enough to
disturb you, the mayor and city council allowed the cable company,
licensed by the city, to increase their rates without uttering even
a whisper of a complaint.
|
Now in this same 12-month period we
have Aldermen Verl Prather, Steve Fuhrer and Mayor Beth Davis
leading the drive to raise the city sales tax and ask the voters of
Lincoln to vote for this, a fourth, tax increase this year.
As I stated in my
earlier letter, be wary of anyone who advocates raising your
taxes, especially four times in the same year.
We once again are asking all voters
from both parties to vote no in November on the sales tax increase.
Les Van Bibber
Lincoln
(posted 10-29-02)
|
|
Blagojevich and Durbin airport expansion plans disrespect the dead
|
What would you think of politicians and
power brokers who are determined to totally destroy cemeteries owned
by churches? Rod Blagojevich and Richard Durbin, along with the
Chicago Machine, want to do just that as part of their misguided
plan to expand O’Hare Airport.
Downstate
media hardly ever reports about the proposed airport expansion, and
when the subject does come up, it’s only to mention the destruction
of homes and businesses. The destruction of the cemeteries is
overlooked completely, but it should be a major issue because of its
implications. If Rod Blagojevich and Richard Durbin have such
complete disregard for sacred ground, what does that say about their
attitudes toward the people of Illinois?
|
These are not abandoned cemeteries that
are threatened, and the larger of the two, which is owned by St.
John’s United Church of Christ in Bensenville, has about 2,000
burials. The smaller cemetery is owned by the Methodist Church and
has a mass grave that contains the remains of an unknown number of
people who were moved there in 1952 during the first expansion of
O’Hare.
When you vote, please consider the fact
that both Blagojevich and Durbin are in favor of this — destruction
of homes, businesses and the final resting place of several thousand
people. Men like that obviously have no morals or ethics and can’t
be trusted to run this state or represent us in Washington.
Gloria Scott
Ludlow
(posted 10-29-02)
|
|
Madigan for attorney general
|
Dear
Editor:
I support
Sen. Lisa Madigan for attorney general. She is smart and
conscientious. She is sincere in her desire to be an advocate for
all the people of Illinois and has backed up the rhetoric with
comprehensive plans on the issues that matter to all of us —
lowering prescription drug costs, protecting our communities from
sexual predators, targeting meth labs across the state, and
safeguarding senior citizens against fraud and abuse. I know Lisa
Madigan will fight to protect our families.
|
There are already 102 state’s attorneys
in Illinois. Having worked in the attorney general’s office for 16
years, I know that it is much more than just the 103rd "state’s
attorney." Criminal cases are only 20 percent of the work. The
Office of Attorney General deserves a person with vision for the
future. That person is Lisa Madigan.
Sincerely,
Jane L. Ryan
Lincoln
(posted 10-29-02)
|
|
A vote for ethics and
experience
|
Dear
Editor:
A very important day in Illinois is
coming up. Nov. 5 may well be the most important election in 25
years in this state. This election is about character and who has
the experience to turn this state around. Jim Ryan has been a
prosecutor who has brought dozens of public officials and literally
thousands of criminals to justice for violating the public trust and
committing criminal acts. He has protected women and children in
this state, stood up for consumers, protected the environment, and
honored the public trust we placed in him. Ethics and personal
responsibility has been a consistent theme not only in Jim Ryan’s
career but also in his life.
|
Jim Ryan’s opponent, Rod Blagojevich,
tells us how hard he is going to work for us, yet as a congressman
he has missed more than 50 percent of his votes in Congress while he
has been campaigning for the office he is now seeking. He has missed
31 of 52 (60 percent) of voting days from March 20 to July 24, 2002,
according to official U.S. House of Representatives records. Would
you get a promotion if you showed up for work half of the time?
We have a moral and ethical man in the
White House that we can be proud of. I intend to vote for Jim Ryan,
a moral and ethical man to lead the state of Illinois, to provide
stability and integrity for our future. I hope Illinois voters will
join with me in doing so; our state’s future depends on it.
Sincerely,
Bill Johnson
Atlanta
(posted 10-28-02)
|
|
Clear choice for Ryan ticket
|
Dear Editor:
Affordable health care,
protection from domestic violence, strong towns and villages,
expansion of research and development into expanded uses for coal,
and safe schools should not be left to the hands of the Chicago
machine! Maps don’t lie, and all six of the statewide candidates for
constitutional office on the Democrat ticket live within a
seven-mile radius of each other in Chicago!
Jim Ryan leads a balanced
ticket — balanced in terms of geography, skill, dedication and
talent. As a voter and taxpayer I want good representation by
honest, thoughtful, intelligent and dedicated public servants — not
puppets of the Chicago machine.
Jim Ryan’ record is clear:
• He launched the
most aggressive statewide effort in the nation against violence in
our schools. I know because I saw the results of those efforts in my
grandchildren’s schools.
[to top of second column in this
letter]
|
• He made sure
that hospital emergency room personnel were better prepared to
respond to victims of domestic violence. I know because I helped
implement changes in our hospital.
• He has worked
for the small communities in Illinois, not just Chicago. I know
because I live and work in small communities, and I have seen his
support.
• He supports the
funding of research and development for new uses of coal. New uses
for coal could benefit not only the community in which I live, but
by bringing new jobs and a stronger economy to the state, all
communities would benefit.
For me, Jim Ryan and the
Republican ticket is the clear choice for a strong Illinois — for
small villages, farms and urban areas — for ALL Illinois.
Sincerely,
Dayle Eldredge
Elkhart
(posted 10-25-02)
|
|
Heartland Community College
Your pathway to lifelong learning!
Community
Education Class through the Lincoln Center of HCC
For more
information or to register,
call 735-1731,
stop by HCC at 620 Broadway,
or go online at
hcc.cc.il.us/CCE |
Classes currently
available:
Which Horse Is Best for
You?
6:30-8:30 pm, 10/29 & 11/5,
TC Stables
So You Want to Buy a
Horse
6:30-8:30 pm, 11/6 & 13,
TC Stables
Check online for classes on
the Normal campus
What classes
would you like to see?
Email
kristi.powell@heartland.edu
with your suggestions! |
Lincolndailynews.com
is the place to
advertise
Call (217) 732-7443
or e-mail
ads@lincolndailynews.com |
|
|
Ryan’s record demonstrates
commitment
|
Dear
Editor:
In the race for Illinois governor there
is a clear distinction in the two candidates. Jim Ryan has
demonstrated his commitment to serving the public through his
lifetime of service to the people of this state. He has protected
our children and our families by creating the most aggressive
statewide effort in the nation to address the problem of deadly
violence in our schools that led to the nationally recognized "Safe
to Learn" plan. He created Illinois’ first Child Advocacy Center,
which treats young victims of child sexual abuse in a child-friendly
manner. As DuPage County state’s attorney, Jim Ryan started the
first such center in 1987, which has culminated in 28 centers
throughout Illinois.
Jim Ryan supports a ban on
partial-birth abortion. Rod Blagojevich voted against legislation to
ban partial-birth abortions on two occasions when the issue came up
in Congress. Jim Ryan supports a federal law making it a crime to
transport a minor across state lines for the purpose of obtaining an
abortion. Blagojevich voted against that proposed law in Congress.
[to top of second column in this
letter]
|
As voters we have a responsibility to
make intelligent informed choices. I encourage all voters to look in
depth at the two candidates and their distinctive differences. Jim
Ryan has a record he can be proud of — one that has protected
Illinois families and children. He has made promises, and he has
kept his promises. Check the record of the two candidates; don’t be
fooled by the rhetoric. As the mother of three daughters, I am proud
to support Jim Ryan for the future of Illinois and for the future of
our children.
Sincerely,
Vickie Bowen
Lincoln
(posted 10-25-02)
|
|
Want your ad to be
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Advertise with
Lincoln Daily News!
Call (217)
732-7443
or e-mail
ads@lincolndailynews.com |
Our staff offers more than 25 years of experience in the
automotive industry.
Greyhound
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At the corner of Woodlawn and Business 55
No Appointments
Necessary |
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Call (217) 732-7443
or e-mail
ads@lincolndailynews.com |
|
|
Rita Garman, Supreme
Court justice |
Dear
Editor:
This November we will have an
opportunity to elect a Supreme Court justice. This chance comes
around only once in a generation, if even that often. The last time
we elected a Supreme Court justice was in 1984 when Justice Ben
Miller was elected. Prior to that it was 1964 when we elected
Justice Underwood.
Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman is
running in this election to retain her seat on the Supreme Court of
Illinois. She has been a judge for nearly 29 years, serving at the
Associate, Circuit, Appellate and Supreme Court levels. As the only
candidate to have served at every level of the Illinois judicial
system, she brings a wealth of experience and unmatchable
qualifications to the court.
Justice
Garman’s vast judicial experience and exemplary qualifications
demonstrate why she is uniquely qualified to serve us on the Supreme
Court. Just as important, however, is her strong personal character.
Having the privilege of knowing Justice Garman, we know
unequivocally that she serves the people every day with fairness and
an unwavering commitment to integrity. As circuit court clerks, we
are keenly aware of the qualities that are required of a judge.
Justice Garman exemplifies those qualities. |
It is for these reasons that Justice
Garman has been endorsed by former Govs. Edgar and Thompson, several
newspapers, other judges, congressmen, and state and local elected
officials too numerous to name. It is also for these reasons that
Justice Garman received the Illinois State Bar Association Judicial
Evaluation Committee’s highest rating in 2002. We encourage you to
cast your vote for a seasoned professional, Rita Garman for Supreme
Court.
Sincerely,
Carla Bender
Logan County Circuit Court Clerk
Sandra K. Parker
McLean
County Circuit Court Clerk
(posted 10-18-02)
|
|
Jim
Ryan for governor
Two local views |
Dear
Editor:
Integrity, genuinely concerned,
compassionate are just a few words that come to mind when I think of
what we need in our governor. Attorney General Jim Ryan is that type
of person and will be that type of governor. He is concerned with
the direction in which our state is going and wants to make a
difference by expanding our state’s economy without raising taxes.
The
leadership of our state needs to focus on what everyone needs,
including jobs, education for our children, affordable health care
and restoration of the public’s faith in our government. |
I recommend that everyone should
participate in the voting process by showing his or her support for
a governor that will be there for everyone, not just a few.
Please show your support for Jim Ryan
by voting on Nov. 5. Voting is the only way we can make a
difference.
Sincerely,
Mick and DiAnne Turner
Lincoln
(posted 10-18-02)
|
|
Dear Editor:
I paid the price to bear arms by
serving my country. Why should I have to pay again?
Rod
Blagojevich has already stated he wants to raise gun owners’ ID
cards from $5 to $500. Maybe the people up north can afford that,
but Jim Ryan knows about the burdens it could cause on downstate
hunters. Jim Ryan represents all Illinoisans. He wants to restore
our fiscal sanity to the whole state of Illinois, including the
capital.
|
We pay Rod Blagojevich’s salary but he
doesn’t show up for work every day, only when it’s convenient for
him. This is his way of evading important voting issues. He picks
and chooses the issues he wants to deal with and avoids the issues
important to me.
Jim Ryan wants to ban partial birth
abortions. That one statement alone should be enough to win your
vote for Jim Ryan.
Sincerely,
Bruce A. Huskins
Lincoln
(posted 10-18-02) |
|
Democratic sweep predicted
— not a good sign for Illinois |
To the
editor:
The experts
are predicting a Democratic sweep of state offices in November. That
includes Rob Blagojevich, son-in-law of Chicago Alderman Richard
Mell, as governor, bringing Chicago-style politics to Springfield.
In the last 20 years, about 20 Chicago aldermen have gone to prison.
In the last 20 years, about 20 Cook County judges have gone to
prison. Remember the last two Democratic governors? Dan Walker and
Otto Kerner both went to jail. The sweep would include Lisa Madigan,
daughter of Chicagoan House Leader Mike Madigan, as attorney
general. The sweep would also include Dan Hynes, son of former Cook
County Assessor Tom Hynes, as state comptroller. They all live
within a few miles of each other in Chicago and owe their allegiance
to the Chicago machine. |
If higher taxes, bans on smoking, gun
control, lousy schools, slavery reparations and corruption appeal to
the voters of Lincoln, they should flock to the polls and vote
Democratic — making sure to vote early and often. Then move over and
let the Chicago thugs intrude on their town and their lifestyle.
Jack Hughes
Chicago
(posted 10-11-02)
|
|
Jim Ryan office
helpful in phone scams |
Dear
Editor:
I am writing
to share my experiences with Attorney General Jim Ryan’s office with
your readers. I am a senior citizen living alone on a fixed income.
I am contacted regularly by telemarketing firms and salespeople. I
have had two occasions recently in which I have needed to contact
the attorney general’s office. I contacted Jim Ryan’s office because
I did not know where else to turn to get assistance. In both
instances I was treated with courtesy and respect. Both times I
could have easily been a victim of consumer fraud and, because of
the efforts of Jim Ryan and his staff, my problem was addressed and
those responsible were dealt with. The attorney general went beyond
the mere solution of the problem and even followed up later with me
to ensure that I was not experiencing any further difficulties. I
see this as an example of public service the way it is meant to be. |
If we can expect the same type of
response to citizen needs for assistance and support when Jim Ryan
is governor as I have experienced with him occupying the office of
attorney general, this state and its people will be well served. Jim
Ryan is not a political insider. He has shown me and countless
others that he is not afraid to stand up for what is right for each
citizen who needs assistance. He filed suit to block the discounted
deal for the settlement of debt for a Springfield hotel, and he has
filed suit against major tobacco manufacturers, in just two examples
of his willingness to stand up for his principles even in the face
of political adversity.
I urge your support for this fine
public servant. We need more like Jim Ryan in public office.
Sincerely,
Shirley Cox
Lincoln
(posted
10-11-02) |
|
Calendar
of Events
|
Tuesday, Nov. 5
WHO: Registered voters
WHAT: General election
WHERE:
Logan County polling places
WHEN:
6 am - 7 pm |
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2003
WHO: Registered voters
WHAT: Consolidated primary
election
WHERE:
Logan County polling places
|
|
District
Maps
|
Click on images to see larger maps |
County board:
[to top of second column
of maps]
|
State representatives:
|
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