Thursday, September 8, 2016

CITY COUNCILMAN GLYNN HINES- BLACK RACIST?

X
X
X
X
https://www.facebook.com/thomas.f.didier/posts/10207058074594571
X
https://www.facebook.com/thomas.f.didier/posts/10207058074594571?comment_id=10207065958151655&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D
X

Thomas F. Didier
Yesterday at 6:57pmFort Wayne
Council Call in tonight 7:00 pm on Channel 28 Fios and Comcast 58 with Special Guest Glynn Hines . Please call with your questions 260-422-3902
Like
Comment
1 share
Comments
Joseph Didier Great job tonight Tom !
LikeReply1Yesterday at 7:42pm
David Christopher Roach Hey Tom- what set Councilman glynn Hines off about that slanderous tirade about "once a klansman always a klansman"? He has said some
pretty surrilous things in his past as a councilman but this takes the cake. Ive always been polite and civil to Mr Hines; and I even admire him. We have our public policy differences but that was over the top- defamation. I called right back to the show- to demand some clarification or apology or retraction but the phone lady wouldnt let me on.
for the record to put a stop to all this MCCARTHYISM TOWARDS ME- I am not nor have i ever been a member of the KKK. this is as ridiculous as the recent anonymous twitter dust up over Mayor Henry and Senator Coats.
Im sure he has best friends who are Nation of Islam members or Black Panthers in the past- whyI bet he was even a reader of Malcolm XGroups or individuals whom many would consider to be BLACK RACISTS. and if it was the satirical comment about "Black Rivers Matter" that i made in reply to your statement about the rivers are bvlackat night; wel- what set Hines off? like he was looking for a fight or something.
anyway- My political base of support is mostly the SE/6th district; and other pockets. Ive always been an advocate for the SE QUADRANT 6th district- and have many friends of all races- black hispanic asian from that part of town and on social media.
SO-again- I wish all these lying politicians would stop srpeading this slanderous libelous defamatory BIG LIE PROPAGANDA.
As an Irish catholic; the KKK would never allow anyone such as me into their rank and file anyway.
I have clearly and repetedly stated I was considering writing a book- much as PHD Worth weller has done; or many others about the KKK- and their Hisdtory here in ALLEN COUNTY/FORT WAYNE ; but decided against it as the less that is said the better.
Im hardly the sort of Man who would be listed in the southern poverty law center archives as an ardent/ virulent Nazi or Klansman anyway- compared to David Duke; warsaw resident Tom Metzger; or butler Indiana resident Anthony Berry( corner of anthony and Berry st lol)- or any of the other Indiana KKK leaders or so on.
Hunter Thompson associated with the Hells angels and wrote a book- but that doesnt mean he actualy WAs a member; nordozens of other author /historian/tabloid writers looking to cash in on a tawdry or salacious Pulp fiction dimestore novel.
AS If- Id be rich by now . alas.
FOR THE RECORD- theres plenty mofe KKK history that Mr Thompson and mr Weller left out or "the rest of the story after their book "Under the Hood" was published- but im not going to tell it; nor any other "secrets" I was privy to -
Other than to say that while I was gathering research I had a real life NAZI DOMINATRIX GIRLFRIEND who WAS an Ardent virulent Nazi
6 foot blonde Aryan with big "assets" from chicago originally.
but again- "the rest of the story" you will never hear about ( as Paul Harvey might say)
so- I just get tired of all these politicians and media types putting out GOTCCHA CHARACTER ASSASSINATION HATCHET JOBS- THEN NEVER GIVING ME A CHANCE TO RESPOND IN KIND.
see what happens when politicians play it squeaky clean and straight? the outsiders? unless they play a Jerry springer/ tabloid act- they never get heard. meanwhile the world hangs on Donald Trumps and David dukes every word- they get three times the media coverage as Hillary Clinton for example.
Why am i telling you this? because you are a fair and honest and decent Catholic- like I aspire to be but i m not.
Please pass this on to Mr Hines so he may apologize and retract- "go forth and sin no more"
the secret whisper campaign- the quiet conspiracy theories about Me- well- no one has the Politicaland intellecual integrity to put the facts out there; and permit their bullying victims to respond with the same Volume.
thank you again, Councilman Didier( and as a former business client)-
for YOUR polite and civil patience and good humor towards all this political circus all these years.
Heck- parto f the reason i call the Council Show is for the amusement and entertainment of our fellow citizens- there have been many times your/THE show has let you dudes just twist in the wind-CRICKETS as they say in comedy- so Im just here as the VILLAGE IDIOT SAVANT to
Spice things up-Never a dull moment.
gotta go!
ROACH
LikeReply7 mins
David Christopher Roach the flak a person has to put up with by doing something stupid to help a friend sell a book- and get on the most notorious jerry springer show ever- as parodied in an austin Powers dr evil movie segment.
LikeReplyJust now
X
Thomas F. Didier David all I can say is sorry . It's a live show . Hard to cut what happened . I will talk to Glynn . Again this is between you and him .
I suggest you speak with him in regards to His comment.
I always enjoy you calling the Show .
UnlikeReply135 mins
David Christopher Roach THX Tom- I suppose what irks me is this will be re-broadcast dozens of times between now and the next show- it was rude. uncalled for and just sladerous hatchet job. I thought i was flattering and polite to Mr Hines; because i do admire him; or rather I did. sigh>so it goes; and thank you for being a Kind and religious person who isnt a hypocrite like so many so-called christians pretend to be- You walk the walk and talk the talk which is great. Thomas F. Didier
LikeReplyJust now
X
Thomas F. Didier David , remember people can say what they want to say .
Look at Jesus . Many of the religious of His time did and said many false things .
Humility my friend . Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
I do it all the time . Because in the end God knows my heart and he knows there's .
UnlikeReply117 mins
David Christopher Roach Thomas F. Didier THX "Father Didier"  - St Charles church needs some parish priests - but seriously- In this small town- well- word gets around and if people even think a rumor or innuendo is true- and arent astute enough to shake it off as bullying; and haters; well- then its a pborlem when a salesman like me- ( or you or anybody else)- loses business because someone else poisoned the well.
I suppose i shouldnt care because i have a lot of FB freidns and supporters in the 6trh district/SE quadrant; and got a lot of votes- anyway- another friend of mine named TOM said it doesnt matter anyway- being a democrat is just shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic.
I suppose il confront the councilman from the podium tuesday night- something to shame him into an apology or semblance ther of.or just let it drop and say hes a jerk.
but I did think the "black rivers matter reply to your comment about the brown rivers and theyre black at night- and the satirical POV it was said in- well Mr Hines shouldnt have blown a gasket.
oh well Taylor Swift- Shake it off
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWlot6h_JM 
x
x
x
x
x
X
https://www.facebook.com/davidchristopherroach/posts/10210448045980439
X
David Christopher Roach
7 hrs
S THE GOP THE NRA OR THE RIGHT TO LIFERS.
WELL- THE NRA AND THE GOP; ANYWAY-
BUT YOU GET MY POINT- ALL THIS MODERN MCCARTHYISM- HAS TO STOP.
THE BIG LIES OUR LOCAL OVERLORDS ARE SPREADING TO KEEP ANY "OUTSIDERS OUT TO KEEP THE CRIME AND CORRUPTION AND RIGGING THE SYSTEM IN.
(NIGGING' THE SYSTEM HINES? LOL)
ANYWAY
I SENT HIM THIS FACEBOOK MESSAGE- TO SHOW HOW HE IS A LIAR A SLANDERER A DEFAMER AND LIBELER-
THE BIG LIE- TELL A LIE; REPEAT IF OFTEN ENOUGH AND SPREAD IT FAR AND WIDE ENOUGH AND PEOPLE COME TO BELIEVE IT AS TRUTH.
IF I WAS A RICH AS DONALD TRUMP I WOULD SUE HIS EYEBALLS OUT ; BUT WHY BOTHER- WE KNOW HIS CHARACTER NOW AND WHO HE TRULY IS A BLACK RACIST
THANK YOU
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
TEXT OF E-MAIL I SENT VIA FACEBOOK INBOX: CC TO HIS CITY COUNCIL CITY EMAIL ADDRESS AS WELL.
HEY HINES
WTF DUDE?
I WANT A RETRACTION AND APOLOGY FROM YOU FOR CALLING ME A "ONCE A KLANSMAN ALWAYS A KLANSMAN" ON YOUR COUNCIL CALL- IN SEGMENT.
I CALLED RIGHT BACK AFTER YOU SAID THAT BUT THE CONTROL BOARD LADY WOULDNT LET ME SPEAK.
-SO YOU HAVE BOUGHT INTO THE "BIG LIE THEORY"
TELL A LIE TELL IT OVER AND OVER; ETC?
i AM NOT NOR HAVE I EVER BEEN A MEMBER OF ANY "CONTROVERISL DOMESTIC TERROIST GROUPS EXCEPT THE GOP AND THE NRA
AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN THE NATION OF ISLAM? OR BLACK PANTHERS? OR "BLACK RIVERS MATTER 　 "
STOP BEING SO THIN SKINNED.
AND-
I WANT TO THANK THE ALLEN COUNTY DEMOCRAT PARTY FOR THEIR 3RD NOMINATION FOR COUNTY WIDE OFFICE- ARE YOU FOLKS IN THE HABIT OF NOMINATING "ONCE AND ALWAYS KKK MEMBERS?"
SO- WHOS GIVING WHOM A "BLACK GUY" (black eye"
AND- this isnt the first time youve put your foot in your mouth jackass.
what have you done lately for YOUR part of town? crime is at a high jobs ar at a low; blight is everywhere; and the MAYOR IGNORES YOU EXCEPT WHEN HE NEEDS YOUR VOTES.
MY BASE OF SUPPORT IS SE/ 6TH DISTRICT- SO WHAT ABOUT THAT?
SCHMUCK.
AND HAVE A NICE DAY. SO MUCH FOR MY RESPECTING YOU ANYMORE .
https://www.facebook.com/glynn.hines 
X
X
Dean Robinson I just put in a call to Glynn Hines and got his voicemail. If he calls back, maybe we can clear up this matter.
UnlikeReply17 hrs
David Christopher Roach IF HE CALLS BACK dont hold your breath.
LikeReplyJust now
David Christopher Roach

Write a reply...

Karen Manley · 3 mutual friends
But character assination has been the tool of choice forever. Its just that previously it was only used on the poor, the homeless, the undesirables, etc.

Hmmm, I seem to remember such rhetoric from you on the topic of help for the homeless.....sorry if I can't get upset that it is now happening to you. But I do think that might call for another beer!

Side note. (I've not been this drink before in the middle of an afternoon. It seems I lose all my filters when drunk)
LikeReply7 hrs
David Christopher Roach Ive only referred to tow specific targets- homeless unqualified politicians= Tommy Schrader for Congress who I have warned them specifically about- if he gets nominated; and tom cook- another semi literate idiot.
I have given them both ample opportunity to reply; and rebut.
AND the rest of the homeless undesirables- I satnd by my assertions and statements.
ANDI'm not an ELECTED POLITICIAN EITHER- with a record as a city councilman of saying MNAY stupid and foolish hings from being a hot head.
I think what set Hines off was an off hand humorous intented remark about BLACK RIVERS MATTER like dude- Lighten up- oh well h cant do that- but at least WHY SO SERIOUS?
UNLESS to try to skew the county council election results in a wrong direction- towards their preferred corrupt cronies naturally.
so- AGAIN- FCK THE ABLE BODIED SHIFTLESS HOMELESS DERELICTS -AND IM NOT AN ELECTED POLITICIAN so i cant do anything about the homeless either way; but if elected- well its my job to DISPENSE "EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW"
Does that clear things up for you? I know youre not the most educated nor enlightened bulb in the Marquee.  Karen Manley
LikeReply23 mins
David Christopher Roach WHAT ARE FILTERS? I must be afflicted with "I just dont give a fck-itis"- same a Donald J. Trump?
LOL
AND AGAIN- over a hundred alcohol/drug dealers all over town- lots of tax cash.
recreational drugs- legal.
#NOFILTERS
LikeReply19 mins
Karen Manley Neither or you. But I have compassion: something else you lack.
LikeReply17 mins
David Christopher Roach PTSD ADHD ? BORN THIS WAY a dog at a fire hydrant is more qualified to be a politician than Tommy Schrader for Congress or tom cook
LikeReply10 mins
David Christopher Roach Karen Manley no i just dont have the empathy that oh - a woman- maight have naturally; Idont have the temperment to put up with well- stupid or ignorant people and especially those who disagree with me or argue with me. I have a lot of things in the way the world works- all figured out- Ive "decoded the program" if that makes sense- especially human nature .
I have little empathy for homeless derelicts skid row bums and -well- you know the schtick- able bidied males- who are scheming or scamming the system- they are being paid 20 K or more a year from the govt- for welfare they dont deserve- and while the rest of us are carrying their crosses for them.Look closely at what ive said - ive never used race- only economics- ive never said anything about anybodies religion- im skeptical of religion personally- superstitious mumbo jumbo.
Ive never said dont help the weak the sick the elderly women or children- except syphilitic whores selling themselves spreading disease to feed their drug addictions.
- meth heroin crack addicts- no sympathy. drug dealers and rapists- no sympathy rapists child molesters women beaters and so on? again.
so- be more discerning- the world is shades of gray- and not the book .Im not mean- I just care about what i care about and well- everyone has their own crusades. and i have mine and ours are different. is all
Im not a monster- im just ahead of the curve.
LikeReplyJust now
X
hey Councilman Thomas F. Didier
thank you for the kind words last night at city council comments ,
I know we al say and do things that arent "politically correct". And I know if im ever elected to a lowly county govt bean counter job paying 8 bucks an hour for a navy Veteran; 2 degree college graduate and local resident since 1967; well- I will be sure to not say anything personally about anybody unless they say something about me first.
I apologize to councilman Hines for the proverbial " Shakespearean slings and arrows I have tossed at Glynn. It is always in jest; as one- we're members of the same outnumbered surrounded Democrat party, so need to put up a good front; and two- My base of support among the "left- of center" and moderate centrist types- well- our "districts" overlap- Se/5th and 6th district with outposts of liberals in other parts of town as well.
just as an aside- 25,000 voters and THREE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY NOMINATIONS (sheriff 2x; county council 1X) and a Libertarian "atta-boy" for city clerk nomination ( if only i was clerk in the 90s; maybe things would be different today?)
anyway-
why do I run? well- you never know - the incumbent may fall off a ladder or breka their neck. they may die in office from some malady; primarys are there to pick their nominee; not back room smoke filled caucus meetings by party hacks and bosses; IF theres even a choice at all.
anyway-
after being bullyied for decades by the main street tabloid media and hateful spiteful publishers editors party hacks and so on; well- I have acquired a not so nice streak as well- well- it was always there after a lifetime of being the new kid in school; ; smart kid; not wanting to fight type- now- its like- put up or shut up walk the talk; meet me behind the dumpster by the RR tracks or river; and see whos "yellow"- because who can afford lawyers and courts and "candidates arresteds" and endless bankrupting litigation and so on. -
Im sorry this rambles a bit- just speaking whats n my mind.
there are several specific editors publishers democrat and republican politicians who are out spreading their own hate; bullying me; with lies innuendoes rumors half truths; sound bites where more than that needs to tell the ful story; mis information dis information mcCarthyism black listing black balling airbrushing from the official record. and for what and why?

like i said- I got into this "political bloodsport"- civic interest and activism- after never having any democrat choices in primarys; not preferring the gop choices- well- very few typically- the "old school eisenhwer theodore roosevelt types of republicans ; the party of Lincoln I find it ironic these local democrats are all self righteous in their crypto pseudo liberalism- when the democrat party was the original party of oppression and then the republican party in the 1920's and now we have "the party of DEPLOREABLES LOL- vs the party of- OBAMA-CLINTON -PELOSI-REID-BAYH ETC- OOOOOOO! :)
anyway-
now in the last several Democrat Primarys- the long suffering rest of us Democrats- have had at least a choice in their candidates and in many cases( im strategic about this- im not just the village idiot savant)- we - have had even Opposed primary is- because the only thing worse than not having any choice at all; and allowing the opposition team to win by forfeit/default is an uncontested primary where the choices are an incumbent party hack; corrupted liar; etc; and some upstanding citizen trying to do good
( lol :) ) :) but seriously-
I was ging to write a book; maybe cash in- earn a few dollars on a jerry springer media tabloid morbid fascinating story- I got beaten to the punch by a college professor and an insider- same story more or less so who cares - the tale got told. YES- there is a "rest of the story" and not many happy endings; BUTIM NOT GOING TO TELL IT; AND THE LESS IS SAID ABOUT THAT "BASKET OF DEPLOREABLES; THE BETTER.
Suffice it to say- from criminology/ domestic terrorist groups; the dark side of sociology and America- its an interesting story- like watching a train wreck in slow motion- There are too many of these roving bands of misfits and miscreants in North East Indiana and this region; if you examine the ADL; and southern povery law center's respective web sites and FBI' ATF homeland security and so on- sources.
the thing I cant fathom- is why- the roght to life/pro-life movemnt; the NRA andother "ALT-Right" groups arend also lumped into this BASKET OF DEPLOREABLES- as their own records of domestic tedrrorism; violence bullying intimidation arson and so on arent also targets if infiltration and investigation and THEIR POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS are highly sought after and widely broadcast by typicall farther right of center than most- politicians?
after all- if you shake out the "basaket of deploreables; you find a striking similiarity of agendas platforms and extremely conservative ideology- which i dont want to belabor here or create conflicts or anything- Im just being observant here.
anyway- for me- the endorsement of the allen county right to life; and or the NRa and any photos with their leaders to me is a kiss of death. but thats my opinion; and as the Indiana constitution states- Articla ONE- scetion19? 9?- well- go chjeck it out.
AGAIN- thank you for you rkind words both here on social media and at the 9-13-2016 city council meeting
Thomas F. Didier
sorry if this post is long- but its not a simple 30 second sound byte story.
and or course- if I offended anybody; or my motives or actions are or were miscommunicated; I apologize.
lastly- I am not now nore have i ever been nor will i ever be or become a member of any illegal; unconstitutional un american or un patriotic group or organization. Shades of McCarthyism- Joe not eugene- and as for "I have here a list of 1000 known members of subversive groups i say- Here I am. If Ive done anything illegal- in violation of the KKK act of 1871; the patriot acts of 2002; or any other unlawful actions here i am- indict me arrest me throw me in jail. so far as i know- im a clean living law abiding citizen trying my best to obey the laws and keep out of trouble- as i have responsibilities that supercede my own life at this time.
PEACE AND GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.!



X
https://www.facebook.com/thomas.f.didier/posts/10207107922480737
X
COUNCILMAN HINES; AND FELLOW DEMOCRAT-
PROXY APOLOGY ACCEPTED, GO FORTH AND SIN NO MORE; "MY FRIEND"( as Sen mcCain and navy Veteran is fond of saying)
anyway- about video poker machines at city golf courses( and city of fort wayne)- this would even out the revenue streams for golf courses and make GOLF cheaper for everybody.
heck- i stop in at golf course clubhouses just to enjoy a beer; sometimes with my mom- she was once an avid golfer; but shes older and cant playanymore but the atmosphere is fun for her- a different VIBE than a bar veterans hall; etc.
we're not so different if you think about it?
Im up toTHREE DEMOCRAT NOMINATIONS- despite the "gossip rumors half truths misrepresentations slander libel defamation behind the scenes( i have my sources)_
AND- 23000 to 25 000 votes and 25 to 30% of General election votes- about the statistical expectation given the dearth of democrats in this county. I have some solid ideas how to reverse the local party's fortunes but well- herding cats..
God Bless you and I Hope you can "let it go"- ive always admired you personally- I think youre pretty cool; as a person and politician.I apologize for the pranks and jokes i toss your way- its all in good humor- nothing "personal" nor anything that would hinder your efforts out SE- except where we disagree on public policy, etc.
so- have a great day .
and now i hope this matter is concluded. 　
X

Xx
Cathy J Cross What name did Hines call you at the end of that call? I am currently boycotting cable and had no access to the show.
UnlikeReply1Yesterday at 6:54pm
David Christopher Roach claimed i was a member of a certain domestic terrorist organization - thats NOT the NRA, Allen County right to life PRO-LIFER- ETC - you know- the proverbial "basket of Deplorables"- just a shallow swipe to try to wreck my county council vote totals. through mis information dis information back office smoke filled room secret social media mean girls etc- the usual tactics - by the usual bunch of "useful idiots"-
So I come in 6th of 6- ive now won THREE DEMOCRAT PRIMARYS- sheriff@X; County council 1X and libertarian city clerk- which if i won that- well sandy kennedy..
25,000 votes 30% of general election votes county wide.
so- evidently there ARE black racist types or at least "prejudiced".
Ive accepted Councilman Hines "apology by proxy- thats sometimes ho diplomacy goes and hope this ugly incident doesnt tarnish party unity this Nov.
LikeReplyJust now
x
x
x
x
x

X




Posted by at No comments:

DEMOCRATS ELECTION SYSTEM IS RIGGED CHECK YOUR BALLOTS BEFORE YOU "VOTE"

X
CHECK YOUR VOTES AT THE DOOR BEFORE YOU LEAVE
x
STRAIGHT PARTY VOTING - NEWER BETTER CHANGES TO BETTER RIG THE SYSTEM
x
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gl=us&tbm=nws&authuser=0&q=allen+county+election+board+and+voting+machines&oq=allen+county+election+board+and+voting+machines&gs_l=news-cc.3..43j43i53.2967.13985.0.15018.47.10.0.31.0.0.1272.3793.1j2j3j0j2j1j0j1.10.0...0.0...1ac.1.S8KecjhflBM
x
https://www.facebook.com/Tommy-Schrader-for-Congress-1284151858281184/?fref=ts
X


x



x attribution:
THE G-WIRE/B-LINE
https://www.facebook.com/GinaMBurgess/posts/10210221611321554
X
X
http://thevotingnews.com/law-change-impacts-hoosiers-looking-to-vote-straight-ticket-in-november-21alive/
X
http://www.newsandtribune.com/news/indiana-prepares-for-change-to-straight-party-votes-in-november/article_22f71880-55ce-11e6-92be-c3553e47372f.html
X


X

X
SEPT 14 2016- i STAND  CORRECTED
FOR THE RECORD
SEE THE TROUBLE THIS NEW LAW IS GOING TO CAUSE?
BOTCHUP THE BALLOTS OF THE STRAIGHT PARTY VOTERS.
X
X
X
X
http://city-countyobserver.com/state-makes-big-change-for-straight-party-voters/
X
X

I THINK SHES WRONG HERE-
PRESS ONE AND DONE-
STRAIGHT DEMOCRAT BUTTON AT LOWER LEFT OF MACHINE; THE PRESS RED "VOTE"
DO ONT SPLIT YOUR TICKET- UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
X
AFTER READING THE SECOND ARTICLE- IT SEEMS YOU PRESS THE DEMCRAT PARTY BUTTON; THEN GO BACK AND PUSH ALL THREE COUNTY COUNCIL-AT-LARGE BUTTONS-SEPARATELY AND INDIVIDUALLY
X
AGAIN- RIGGING THE SYSTEM TO MAKE IT MORE COMPLICATED TO OPERATE THE VOTING MACHINE- IN ADDITION TO ALL THE VOTER ID LAWS AND SO  ON.
X

WHY ANYBODY WOULD EVER VOTE FOR THE PRESENT REPUBLICAN/GOP/TEA PARTY KOCH BROS AMERICANS FOR PREOPSRITY/DONALD TRUMP/PENCE TICKET IS BEYOND MY UNDERSTANDING ANYWAY- BUT..
x
I THINK GINA HAS FALLEN INTO LOCAL DEMOCRAT MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS TO LIMIT SCHRADERS VOTES FOR CONGRESS AND ROACH'S COUNTY COUNCIL VOTES- TO ASSURE THEY HAND THE SEATS TO THEIR PREFERRED OTHER HENRY SUPPORTING CANDIDATES..
AS IF DEMOCRATS CAN EVER WIN A COUNTY WIDE SEAT ANYWAY- LIKE SHUFFLING DECK CHAIRS IN THE TITANIC.
BUT- READ ON ANYWAY- AND SEE IF THIS MAKES SENSE TO YOU OR IF GINA HAS DRANK THE ALLEN COUNTY DEMOCRAT PARTY KOOL-AID
x
x

Gina Burgess added 2 new photos.
September 6 at 3:26pm
ATTENTION COUNTY COUNCIL At-LARGE CANDIDATES – STRAIGHT PARTY VOTES NO LONGER COUNT: There is less than 8 weeks to the November General Election. Unlike in past years, you will not be able to rely upon party affiliation/"straight ticket" voting. [1] Honestly, if you are a Democratic County Council At-Large, you should NOT be relying on Democratic straight party ticket votes anyways. Why? There are more registered Republican voters who participate in County elections than there are registered Democratic voters who participate in County elections. (Look at the campaign results for 2012 and 2008 for confirmation of that fact.**)
Now some people—usually local Democrats—mistakenly believe that this puts Democratic County Council At-Large candidates at a disadvantage. Maybe that’s true in some counties, but not here in Allen County. Why? Because in the past, if someone voted straight ticket Democrat, but then wanted to split the vote and vote for one Republican County Councilman At-Large what would actually happen is that the Democratic voter was inadvertently erasing votes for the three Democratic candidates and unknowingly voting for one Republican.
This law, Indiana Public Law 21-2016, actually levels the playing field for Democrats. [2] Or at least could have helped to level the playing field. And I say “could have” because its recently come to my attention that not all of the Democratic County Council At-Large candidates are aware of this new law, or alternatively, have really failed to educate the general public and their would-be voters about this change in the law that took place in March. Hence the reason for this particular post, which is a follow-up to a news story recently featured on 21Alive.
**Special note: The reason that there are more Republicans voting in County Council races than Democratic voters is because during County/Congressional election years the polls get changed from Democratic leaning polling locations like libraries, colleges, and places accessible by public transportation to Republican-leaning polling places like churches and retirement centers. As people age, they are naturally less idealistic (Democrat) and more pragmatic (Republican). Compound that with Right to Life campaigns that draw out its church-based members and that the Allen County Right to Life cannot endorse a Democrat by virtue of its own charter and voila---GOP candidates in County/Congressional (and Gubernatorial, Senatorial and Presidential elections) get a skewed advantage. This skewed advantage can only be stopped by getting a Democrat elected as the Clerk of Court, who oversees the election’s personnel and policies and is a member of the Allen County Election Board. However, current Democratic Party leadership will not allow that to happen, but alas that’s a story for another day.
_____

X
http://thevotingnews.com/law-change-impacts-hoosiers-looking-to-vote-straight-ticket-in-november-21alive/
X
http://www.newsandtribune.com/news/indiana-prepares-for-change-to-straight-party-votes-in-november/article_22f71880-55ce-11e6-92be-c3553e47372f.html
X
X
Home › State › Indiana › Law change impacts Hoosiers looking to vote ‘straight ticket’ in November | 21Alive



Indiana: Law change impacts Hoosiers looking to vote ‘straight ticket’ in November | 21Alive

Sep 5 2016
» The Voting News
As we approach the November election, we know some people like to choose the straight party option to vote for all Republicans or all Democrats. This time around in Indiana, there’s a small change voters need to take note of. When you step up to your voting machine in just over a couple of months, right there on page one is the “Straight Party Ticket” function. Let’s say you push the button for the Democratic Party, the machine automatically puts an “X” next to the Democrat for President, U.S.Senate, Governor and on down the line for all the partisan races. Under a state law that took effect in July, there’s one exception, where you need to guard against being tripped up.
Here in Allen County, we’re talking about the county council at-large race, where you’re supposed to vote for not one, but three candidates.
Under the new law, in city, county or township at-large contests, where you’re electing more than one person, you now have to physically fill in your individual choices, even if you select straight party on page one.
The problem wasn’t so much with machines, but absentee paper ballots. People marked straight ticket, but in at-large races pretty routinely also checked the boxes of candidates from the opposite party.
X
X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
NDIANA — Voters casting straight-party ballots in this November’s general election will have an added step not seen before, and some election officials are concerned the changes will present unnecessary challenges.
In March, Indiana Public Law 21-2016 went into effect, after Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 61 passed this year’s legislative session and was signed into law by Gov. Pence. The main crux of the bill states that straight-party tickets no longer count for partisan races in which more than one candidate can be chosen, specifically at-large races.
Prior to the new law, voters could select their straight party choice in the beginning of the ballot, and this would in effect cast a vote for all candidates in that party without any extra steps, if no other candidates were chosen separately. In this election, they will have to manually select any at-large candidates for whom they wish to vote.
Indiana Republican Sen. Greg Walker, who authored the bill with Republican Sen. Randall Head, said the main goal was to take away unclear logic in Indiana code that caused complications in interpreting ballots where a voter marked straight party, but strayed from that in at-large sections.
“In an attempt to make the vote true and accurate, we had to deal with the error in the logic as it was in the code,” Walker said. “If someone votes a straight ticket, let’s say they vote Democrat and then they mark a single Democrat county at-large candidate, did they intend to vote (only) for that one candidate, or are they trying to vote four times if there were four Democrats on the ballot?”
This can also apply when a voter casts a straight Democrat ticket, then chooses one Republican, for instance, in the at-large race and makes no other marks.
“Do they want to vote for two of the Democrat candidates, and how would you know which two of those three to include?” Walker said. “The complexity is greatly reduced (with this law.) I think if anything, going forward, there will be fewer opportunities for challenge than more.”
WILL VOTERS UNDERSTAND?
Some election officials have concerns that the new system will be confusing to some voters, especially those who have used straight-party tickets for years and won’t expect to make additional choices on the ballot.
Angie Nussmeyer, co-director of the Indiana Election Division, said she believes that section of the bill unfairly penalizes people who appropriately use straight-party voting.
“They may be expecting a different outcome,” she said. “After walking away and casting their ballot, they may not realize that without making individual marks in the at-large race, that they have, in effect, not voted for anyone (in that section) if they used the straight-party device.
“I have a real concern about longtime voters who [will be] caught unaware of the change.”
Those with concerns agree that doing everything possible to educate voters is the best defense. Nussmeyer said they have been working with county clerks and voting machine vendors since March to work with the changes.
“The bill puts challenges not just on the vendors to make changes to their systems in a compressed timeline, but it also puts a strain on the county election administrators and poll workers who have to learn a new set of rules, which some would argue are already pretty darn complicated,” she said.
Tom Galligan, Clark County Democratic Party chair, said he believes the bill may do more harm than good.
“It’s a small thing,” he said. “I don’t think it will fix much of anything. I think they’re tying to fix something that’s not really much of a problem, but they think it is.
He said as a result, there may be fewer votes in at-large races because people won’t know.
“There will be shortages on the at-large, because people don’t realize,” he said.
EDUCATING THE VOTERS
Galligan, as well as Clark County Republican Party Treasurer Matt Owen, said the parties are working on ways to make sure voters understand how the straight-party ballots will work this election, including stressing to candidates — often on the front lines — the need to inform their potential voters of the change.
“I think there’s definitely a learning curve that candidates are going to have to get the voters around,” Owen said. “Staunch Republicans or staunch Democrats are used to going into the voting booth and marking one line and that counts for whichever party that may be.”
He agrees that this could negatively impact at-large vote totals across the board, and said it adds more confusion to an already confusing process when it comes to at-large races.
“One of the issues that we’ve seen in the past is that when you mark at-large races differently that your straight-party ticket voting, what does that mean? I’ve sat in court where that’s been argued and nobody seemed to know in the past what it meant or how machines were even programmed to read those changes,” Owen said.
“I’m sure that it clarifies what the correct procedure is in counting the votes,” he said, “but I don’t know if it corrects or helps the voter.”
Galligan and Owen both said this new system is already changing the way at-large campaigning works, too.
“When you look at your voter base, you know there are certain blocks of voters who are going to vote straight ticket no matter what,” Owen said.
Now, he said, there’s no way to count on those votes and candidates will need to be more active in reaching all voters.
“It’s going to require a lot more direct contact with a lot more of the voter base, which might not be a bad thing,” he said. “But at the same time, it’s going to make the process, I think, more difficult.”
CLERKS’ ACTIONS
Clark County Clerk Susan Popp said her office intends to do everything possible to alert voters to the change. There will be information on the actual ballot, which is required by the law, but they will also spread the word through voters’ calls and emails they answer.
There will also be information posted at the polls and in Voter Registration, where people come in for early or absentee voting.
Her biggest concern, though, is reaching voters who get mailed absentee ballots. To help with this, they plan to include information in the packet that stands out, like on bright paper alerting voters that this information is new.
“When we send out the absentee ballots, we’re going to make it a different color paper to distinguish that straight party tickets do not count in these races,” she said.
She said that since there is more of a balance between the number of Democratic and Republican voters than in recent years, she doesn’t see that it will affect one party more than the other.
“If this would have happened before, when there were more straight-party tickets for one or the other, it would have affected them,” she said.
She said over-votes have not been a huge issue in the county.
“We really didn’t have than many because let’s say I voted a straight Democrat ticket and then voted for one of the Republicans, it would just register the vote,” she said. “Only the other candidate (Republican) would get the vote.”
In Floyd County, Clerk Christy Eurton said her big concern is also mailed absentees, which are the only paper ballots they use. In their system, which uses electronic voting centers for in-person voting, the computers go through a screen-by-screen review of the voter’s electronic ballot.
“Some people don’t like it, they think it’s time consuming,” she said. “But it’s cases like this where it forces you to review your ballot on who you picked and who you didn’t pick.
“It allows you to under-vote; it lights up and is like ‘Are you sure this is what you want?’”
The paper ballots are mailed out and only opened at noon on election day, so there’s no chance for review of this kind, Eurton said.
Owen said if the purpose of the bill was to clarify voter intent, he feels that the best way to do that would have been to move away from straight-party voting in the first place.
“I would much rather have seen the elimination of straight-party voting rather than adding a step to achieve a straight ticket,” he said.
“Having a straight-party vote total at the end of the night is a good indication of where we are in different communities or as a state when you see Republicans match up to Democrats, but it’s not worth having that statistic if it is going to interfere with the intent of the voter.”




X
X

Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)