On the Eve of Election
Tomorrow, at long last, is election day here in the US. While the boys watched Sesame Street this morning, I researched candidates and issues.
I found the Strib MyVote feature very helpful. It lists all the races in your area, and has links to each of the candidates.
I found a helpful reminder from the Minnesota Women Lawyers that the best judge candidates are non-partisan and strive to be fair and impartial, which is also apolitical. (Inasmuch as that is possible.)
Judges should be selected based on the depth and quality of their legal experience, their temperament, their good character and their willingness to follow the law. They should not be selected based on politics.
I found two sites, MNBlue and The Ballot, that had extensively researched the races and candidates. I still had to do some extra study in a few races but I have my sample ballot filled out.
A brief reminder to everyone: our current election system allows, but does not really support, third party candidates. Until run-off balloting or other major change is instituted, third parties will almost always skew an election. Here in MN, Jesse Ventura was one of the most successful third party candidates. His exception proves the rule that helped elect Tim Pawlenty and Norm Coleman. Please vote carefully. Consider the most likely result. A vote for a third party may well elect your last, not your first, or second, choice. The race between Al Franken and Norm Coleman is very close, and there’s an Independent candidate. Please, either vote for Al, or vote against Norm by voting for Al. Voting for the Independent candidate will likely result in a re-election for Norm, and if you’re considering voting for a third party candidate, I don’t think that’s what you want.