The Official Non-Presidential Vote Thread

[Pheidippides]

So, in an effort to be an informed voter I just spent the last 2.5 hours researching all the kabillion (seriously, like seventy separate elections) candidates for railroad commissioner, judge, justice of the peace, park commissioner, dog catcher, and honorary trashman that are going to show up on my ballot tomorrow. I actually know a former judge from the area and sought his input as well.

The first few were pretty easy because one candidate or the other (usually, but not always, the Democrat) is ridiculously underqualified or otherwise looks to be a nut job. But after that it got tough. After thorough review, I am choosing candidates (this is mostly for the judges) based on the following criteria:

1. How good I think the law school was (South Texas is apparently a judicial factory)

2. Website design skills or ability to contract for the same

3. Pre-judicial law experience (tort lawyers need not apply)

4. Undergrad degree (preference given for things that require math or chemistry)

5. Prominent tea party association is a strong negative

6. Anybody that has a picture with, or endorsement from, Sarah Palin is automatically disqualified from consideration.

After that it's all a crapshoot. I had to send myself an email to use as a cheat sheet in the voting booth tomorrow morning. The end result is that (based on the judges) that I skew slightly but only slightly republican.

[San Juan Sun]

My absentee ballot for Michigan had several measures that would allow various public employees to to organize and collectively bargain. I voted no.

[Surfah]

My ballot this year was awesome. President. Senator. Congressman. And two amendments to the VA constitution. I don't understand how people were spending 5 minutes in the booth. It literally took me 20 seconds to fill out my ballot and submit. Even the election official commented how fast I was.

[Mormon Red Death]

My absentee ballot for Michigan had several measures that would allow various public employees to to organize and collectively bargain. I voted no.

thank you!

[San Juan Sun]

thank you!

[Moliere]

So, in an effort to be an informed voter I just spent the last 2.5 hours researching all the kabillion (seriously, like seventy separate elections) candidates for railroad commissioner, judge, justice of the peace, park commissioner, dog catcher, and honorary trashman that are going to show up on my ballot tomorrow. I actually know a former judge from the area and sought his input as well.

The first few were pretty easy because one candidate or the other (usually, but not always, the Democrat) is ridiculously underqualified or otherwise looks to be a nut job. But after that it got tough. After thorough review, I am choosing candidates (this is mostly for the judges) based on the following criteria:

1. How good I think the law school was (South Texas is apparently a judicial factory)

2. Website design skills or ability to contract for the same

3. Pre-judicial law experience (tort lawyers need not apply)

4. Undergrad degree (preference given for things that require math or chemistry)

5. Prominent tea party association is a strong negative

6. Anybody that has a picture with, or endorsement from, Sarah Palin is automatically disqualified from consideration.

After that it's all a crapshoot. I had to send myself an email to use as a cheat sheet in the voting booth tomorrow morning. The end result is that (based on the judges) that I skew slightly but only slightly republican.

I'm much less scientific with judges, which is saying something. My criteria goes (in this order):

1. I vote first for any female.

2. I then vote for the craziest sounding name.

3. I then vote for any name that reminds me of great BYU athletes.

If none of those apply, I pick the person at the bottom.

[Mormon Red Death]

I'm much less scientific with judges, which is saying something. My criteria goes (in this order):

1. I vote first for any female.

2. I then vote for the craziest sounding name.

3. I then vote for any name that reminds me of great BYU athletes.

If none of those apply, I pick the person at the bottom.

I vote the testosterone first.

[Coach McGuirk]

is it bad that I almost always vote to replace judges?

[Jarid in Cedar]

is it bad that I almost always vote to replace judges?

Nope. I do the same. Especially if they have been in longer than 6 years.

[NorthShoreCoug]

I try to study up and be at least somewhat informed, but if there is a race I know little to nothing about, I don't vote in that race. Why add some random element to a race where two (or more) people have spent a lot of effort - it seems to almost make fun of their effort.

Let the people who've taken the time to get informed make the decision.

[The_Douger]

is it bad that I almost always vote to replace judges?

I do that every time.

It has to do with that my grandfather said to vote the judges out.

[Indy Coug]

I voted out all 4 judges on the state Supreme Court.

[Clark Addison]

I skipped several judges and small contests that I knew nothing about.

I voted against one guy who's wife is LDS, but stopped coming to church because he didn't like it. You don't mess with the Elders of Israel.

I tend to vote for Republicans for many local offices, but Democrats for school boards.

[wuapinmon]

I am voting No against the South Carolina proposed Amendment to make the Lt. Governor and Governor a "ticket" together. I like that the Lt. Gov. has to be elected too, and can be from a different party.

[Eddie]

Judges: Unless there is one I really really like for one reason or another, I vote them out. I figure turnover is good, but has a judge ever actually been voted out in Utah? One maybe?

Local Elections: I like to do what I can to find out about the local folks running. Truth be told - as I live in Davis County and expect the Republican to win every race, I tend to do all of my studying for the primary election. Then today, unless I REALLY like the Republican running, I'll vote for the Democrat. I know the Republican will win - but I want him/her to know that not everyone loves them or voted for them.

Propositions/Amendments: I tend to read the voter's guide on these. Quite often both the Dem's and Rep's agree and want them passed - and I usually vote that way. Others I take on a case by case basis and decide who's argument I like best.

There have been times I haven't done my homework for a certain seat or proposition. Quite often if I don't know anything about either candidate I'll skip that seat entirely. I don't want to inadvertently be the person who gets a prick elected. And like Northshore - I figure I'll let the people who have studied it out and know the candidates make the decision. I tell myself that I'm being responsible when I do that, but I know it would be more responsible to have prepared myself.