January 2008 Donkey Tails

Donkey Tails
By Maury Goodman
January 2008
For the "Warrenville Today" Newspaper

Dear Warrenville Voter in Precinct 16 The primary election is Tuesday February 5, 2008. Any registered voter may vote in this election, and choose a Democratic, Republican or non-partisan ballot. There is ALSO a Feb. 5 special primary election in our precinct for the 14^th Congressional District. AND there will also be a special election on Saturday March 8^th for Congress!!! In the primary, if you choose a Democratic Ballot, you will help choose the Democratic Candidate for President, the Democratic Convention Delegates and the candidate for U.S. Congress in District 14 for the November general election. In other races there will be less than two candidates.

→It is my understanding that the special primary on February 5 involves a separate ballot. Be sure to vote twice, once in the primary for November; once in the special primary for March.←

You may find more information about all of the candidates at http://www.dupagedemocrats.org/ and clicking on “2008 candidate information”.

Early Voting

Early voting has already started. You can vote early for any reason, until January 31, at either the Stratford Square Mall (on the lower level near Carson’s) [M-F 10-7, Sat 10-3, Sun 11-3] or at the Election Commission Office [M-F 8-4:30, Sat 9-1, Sun 9-1]. Be sure to ask to vote in both the primary and the special primary at the same time.

Absentee Voting

A registered voter not in the area, such as a college student at school, may request an absentee ballot by calling (630) 407-5600. You should request ballots for 1) the Feb 5 primary, 2) the Feb 5 special primary and 3) the Mar 8 special election.

Candidates for President

The main candidates for President are Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards. I’m sure you have heard lots of information about the presidential candidates. I am excited at the prospect of electing any of these three individuals in the November election.

Candidates for Delegate to the Democratic National Convention

You will get to vote separately for the candidates and their delegates. In our CD there will be four delegates and one alternate. The number of delegates for each candidate depends on how many votes the presidential candidates get. Which delegates go depends on how many votes they get. For example, if Clinton gets 50% of the vote, Edwards 25% and Obama 25%, then the top two Clinton delegates and the top Edwards and Obama delegate will go to the convention in Denver.

Candidate for U.S. Senate

Current U.S. Senator Dick Durbin in running for reelection and I strongly urge everyone to cast a primary vote for him.

Candidates for Congress in the 14^th Congressional District

There are four candidates for congress to replace Dennis Hastert in the primary, and three in the special primary. Remember to vote twice! The winner of the special primary will face the Republican nominee in the special election March 8, 2008. The winner of the primary will face the Republican nominee in the general Election November 4, 2008.

The two main candidates are John Laesch and Bill Foster.

John Laesch

is a Union Carpenter and was the Democratic Candidate for Congress in 14 in 2006. He is a progressive Democrat and hard worker for Democratic causes. John will work to strengthen the middle class, protect our environment and for energy independence. He has been endorsed by Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, Studs Terkel, the UAW and others.