Monday, November 10, 2008

Review of actual Election day

Sorry for this late posting (Alderman Lyle sent this several days ago).

Most of the residents in the 6th Ward voted before 3 p.m. There were lines at most precincts when the Election Judges opened their doors, and no one was complaining! Those lines had dissipated however by 2:00 p.m. In fact, with the number of early voters and absentee voters some of the precincts had voted 75% of their voters before 3 p. This huge early voting turnout creates a new election get out the vote timetable for the future.

Visitors to my office yesterday told me that several of our neighbors on the South Side had no Election Day operations. We placed and fed Judges at 64 precincts a light breakfast and lunch. We also paid and fed passers who distributed literature to the voters for the sake of the down ticket races. (For the most part, the polls were covered all day.) Then we stayed in the office until all but 2 of the precincts reported their votes. So far without the 20th & 57th precincts having reported the Chicago Board of Elections reports that 27,019 voters cast ballots for President-elect Obama.


Notes of interest:

  • What are the odds that the weather on a November election day in Chicago would bve 70 degrees and sunny? Did you understand that divine intervention covered this campaign?
  • Mary Pullins of 78th & Champlain voted on 76th & Cottage at 10:30 a.m. Why is this significant, you ask? Well Ms. Pullins is 107 years old and came to the polls as she does every year with her candidate already selected.
  • On the other end of the age spectrum, I saw young Black men at every precinct I visited which to me was a sign that yes we could win this thing. Whenever first time voters appeared at some precincts the Judges clapped for them and thanked them. I invited them all to come back again next year and the year after that.

Once Pennsylvania was announced for Obama, we knew it was over. When they formally announced that they were calling it for the Senator, people ran into the streets shouting and dancing. Drivers honked their horns as they drove and gave each other the thumbs up signs. Strangers hugged, people cried (including me), kids jumped and down and folks popped Champagne bottles. I didn't live to see the Joe Louis celebration, but that's the only analogy I can give for the celebratory feelings of pride and happiness I witnessed.

To all those who put a sign in the window; talked to a stranger or relative about the Senator; worked a phone bank; drove to another City; made a donation or gave him your vote; I thank you on behalf of the children of America.

Freddrenna Lyle

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