All prospective voters should read our latest update, regarding Boss Godfrey's most recent political dirty trick
Well... we've confirmed it, gentle readers. Just as advertised, the polling has begun in our long awaited Emerald City General Election. We were concerned that Boss Godfrey may have not had enough time to spend his $183,000 war chest, and that he might have issued an imperial order at the last minute, delaying today's voting for another couple of weeks. Happily this did not happen; and thus your humble blogmeister has just now returned from his neighborhood polling place, after having proudly cast his ballot for Van Hooser, Aardema, Gochner and Wicks.
After 2 years of postings about Emerald City politics here on Weber County Forum, words can't express our satisfaction in finally putting our money where our mouth has been, and in casting our votes for the ouster of Boss Godfrey and his evil corporo-fascist minions.
And though it may seem unnecessary to remind our readers again, today's election depends upon a robust voter turnout by concerned lumpencitizens. Let's hear no excuses today, folks. If the vote turns out unfavorably, with one single exception, we don't want to hear any griping from citizens who didn't show up to vote. And on that connection, we'll make a special offer to those poor Emerald City souls who still hold an ill-founded adherence to Boss Godfrey and his corrupt and undemocratic political practices. If you decide NOT to vote today, you'll be warmly welcomed here to gripe all your want. We're very forgiving here at Weber County Forum; and when the final tallies roll in tonight, we'll be happy to give you a warm shoulder to cry on.
As an aside, we'll note that council candidate Blain Johnson's hired hands were again outside our polling place this morning, waving Blain's signs and grinning like they actually cared about their employer-for-a-day's candidacy. Your blogmeister approached them and asked for their permission to take the shot on the right for publication in Weber County Forum. As the image indicates, this was okay with one of them.We also struck up a short conversation, wherein we asked if they'd yet gone inside to vote. "Oh no," one of them volunteered. "We're from Washington Terrace, not from this neighborhood."
Blain Johnson: Candidate of the people -- the People's Choice for Paid Pickets from Washington Terrace!!!!
And even though we don't believe it's necessary at this point, we'll nevertheless state the obvious:
You know what to do.
Do it at your neighborhood polling place.
Have at it gentle readers. This would be a good place, we think, to post your election day comments, observations... and war stories.
(And yes, gentle readers. As per usual, we'll be firing up a new thread later this evening, where you can link, track and comment in real time upon tonight's election results. Don't forget to check back after the polls close.)
Update 11/6/07 1:05 p.m. MT: We have just received a message from one of our readers, who was turned away about an hour ago by poll workers at her precinct polling place, Grand View Acres Elementary School. Our reader was told by poll judges that Cindi Mansell, of the Ogden City Recorder's Office, has lodged a series of individual voter challenges, requiring a list of 50 or more Emerald City voters to provide two forms of ID, including proof of residency, prior to the issuance of an electronic ballot.
We have spoken with an official from the Weber County Clerk's office, who informs us that such a challenge is lawful. We have successfully obtained the aforementioned list. We've uploaded it to our storage site; and the list can be viewed here, in pdf format. If your name appears on this list, and you remain eligible to vote in Ogden, be sure to bring along AT LEAST two forms of ID, preferably your voter registration card and an official picture ID (Driver's License or other government-issued ID,) proving that you reside within your voting precinct. Failing that, bring along any other proof of residency which you may have on hand, such as utility bills and similar mailings which show your true address of residency.
If you know any of the people whose names appear on the list, please contact and inform them regarding this matter.
If all else fails, we are informed by Weber County election officials that it's your right to demand a provisional ballot. Whatever you do, do not allow yourself to leave your voting precinct without casting at least a provisional ballot. Questions regarding your eligibility to vote can be sorted out by election officials later. In the event that your poll workers refuse to issue such a ballot, demand that they call the Weber County Clerk's Office at 399-8400, so that county election officials can set them straight.
Come to think of it, we recommend that ALL prospective voters take along two forms of ID, including a photo ID and/or other proof of residence before going to the polls.
We can never predict what will be the next dirty trick that the evil Godfreyites will try to pull. We do advise everyone who hasn't voted yet to be prepared for the very worst.
