Author Topic: Proof people dont pay attention when voting  (Read 443 times)

Offline StarOfAfrica2

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Proof people dont pay attention when voting
« on: November 10, 2005, 12:39:55 PM »
This is just idiotic.  But then its California too.

Quote
Jailed Man Wins School Board Election

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Nov. 10) - The winner of a school board election didn't campaign, attend forums or even go to any school board meetings before the vote - because he was in jail.

Randy Logan Hale won 831 votes in Tuesday's election, securing one of three open seats on the Romoland School District Board in a community about 70 miles north of San Diego.

"This is wild, he'll be glad," said his wife, Penny.

Hale, 40, was returned to prison in September for violating his parole on 1998 convictions for spousal abuse and drug possession, the California Institution for Men in Chino said, and is due to be released Feb. 15. He declared his candidacy in August.

His wife and a district trustee confirmed he was imprisoned.

The election of an inmate to the school board is a conundrum for the district, and Superintendent Roland Skumawitz said he's consulting lawyers to figure out how to handle the situation.

Shaun Bowler, a political science professor at the University of California, Riverside, said Hale may have gotten votes because he was at the top of the ballot.


Offline Sandman

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« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2005, 12:49:51 PM »
Tell us about the school board in your town.

Now, think back to your last election. Can you recall anything about the school board?

People don't campaign for school board. They put up a few posters and that's it, if at all.
sand

Offline Mickey1992

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« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2005, 01:00:34 PM »
"Shaun Bowler, a political science professor at the University of California, Riverside, said Hale may have gotten votes because he was at the top of the ballot."

.....Which is why Ohio randomly changes the order of the candidates on its new touchpad voting machines.

Offline StarOfAfrica2

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« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2005, 01:13:36 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Sandman
Tell us about the school board in your town.

Now, think back to your last election. Can you recall anything about the school board?

People don't campaign for school board. They put up a few posters and that's it, if at all.


I guess I was spoiled then.  Growing up where I did, people DID campaign for school board, and bought TV time too.  Maybe its just too expensive now, or maybe its only small towns that do it, or maybe its just the midwest.  Of course, you're right, they dont here.  But I still make sure I check who stands for what, if there's information available.  If I cant find info on them, I dont vote for them.  As far as I'm concerned, though it gets very little recognition, the school board is one of the most important and underrated elected positions we have.  It directly influences our children and sometimes gives them the first taste of bureaucracy.  The people who set policy in our local school districts are VERY important, and it becomes our jobs as sensible, voting Americans to keep the idiots out.  Its obvious enough that the majority pays no attention to who is there.

Offline J_A_B

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« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2005, 01:18:05 PM »
What makes this guy any worse than the typical school board member?  All the ones I've dealt with were corrupt jerks.

J_A_B

Offline GtoRA2

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« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2005, 02:35:13 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by J_A_B
What makes this guy any worse than the typical school board member?  All the ones I've dealt with were corrupt jerks.

J_A_B


prolly only that he was dumb enough to get cought.

Offline StarOfAfrica2

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« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2005, 03:06:35 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by J_A_B
What makes this guy any worse than the typical school board member?  All the ones I've dealt with were corrupt jerks.

J_A_B


I didnt say he was any worse, this just illustrates how the corrupt jerks get there.

Offline mauser

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« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2005, 03:30:37 PM »
Actually, something similar happened here years ago SA2.  There was a candidate for the Board of Education or something that had the same last name as a more well known local politico.  That candidate was voted in, then it was later found out he had numerous problems (criminal or mental) and the vote was redone I think.  I'm having a hard time Googling the event because it was almost ten years ago I think.  But it seemed to have been a case where most people don't know who to vote for and just picked based on various irrelevant criteria, in this case a familiar surname.  I learned my lesson that year - from then on I either chose people I KNEW I wanted, or didn't vote in that race at all.  At the time, I had just hit voting age not very long and thought you were required to vote in every race.  

The event highlighted another bad part of the politics here, which is voting based on name recognition instead of abilities and stance on issues.

Offline Maverick

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« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2005, 03:33:57 PM »
It happened in California. Why is that not a surprise.......
DEFINITION OF A VETERAN
A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."
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Offline Sandman

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« Reply #9 on: November 10, 2005, 03:36:42 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Maverick
It happened in California. Why is that not a surprise.......


I bet it happens in most states.
sand

Offline StarOfAfrica2

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« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2005, 03:42:23 PM »
Mauser, thats one reason I could never run for political office here.

My name happens to be the same as a former Senators.  People all the time ask me if I'm related, thinking I'm maybe his nephew or something.  Hehe.

Offline J_A_B

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« Reply #11 on: November 10, 2005, 05:48:17 PM »
"I didnt say he was any worse, this just illustrates how the corrupt jerks get there."

Good point

J_A_B

Offline Maverick

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« Reply #12 on: November 10, 2005, 09:49:28 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Sandman
I bet it happens in most states.


IIRC in AZ. you are inelligible for placement on the ballot if you are a convicted felon. Something to do with loss of voting priveleges.
DEFINITION OF A VETERAN
A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."
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