Voting report

 I voted today, via a mail-in ballot. 

The ballot showed up in the mail yesterday, and serendipitously, the Chicago Tribune chose to publish its who-to-vote-for guide in this morning's newspaper.*  

I am not alone in voting early.  David French, in a newsletter published earlier today, reported that 52 million early ballots already have been cast - some 40% of the total number of votes cast (in all forms, including mail-in, early voting, absentee and in-person) in the 2016 election, with this election still some 11 days away.   Jim Geraghty, in a different newsletter from a couple of days ago, notes that the early voting is not evenly spread across the political spectrum - and that might have an effect on election-night results reporting:

In many states, registered Democrats are returning absentee ballots in higher numbers than registered Republicans, and in polls, self-identified Democrats are expressing much greater interest in voting by mail or voting early than self-identified Republicans. If the early vote is mostly Democrats, and the Election Day turnout is mostly Republicans, this will have two effects on early perceptions of who is “winning.”

First, the early “waves” of tallies may well look like a Democratic landslide, if counting begins with the previously tabulated early votes. Then, as the Election Day tallies are added, the numbers will gradually (or perhaps not-so-gradually) shift towards Republicans.

This was the first time I've voted by mail.  It was a little nerve-wracking, but the instructions were reasonably clear, and I think I got it right.  One votes for one's candidate by coloring in the dot next to her/his name - just like those standardized tests I had to take in elementary school in the 1960s and 70s.  The instructions warned not to color outside the lines, so I took my time.  

Besides the usual races for president, US Senate, US House, the state legislature and various county races (including deciding whether or not to retain at least 25-30 judges), there is a referendum on the ballot to amend our state's constitution to permit a progressive income tax to be imposed.  As things stand today, our state constitution mandates that Illinois is a "flat tax" state: in theory, everyone pays the same 4.95% income tax.  The Wall Street Journal would tell us that this means that billionaires in Illinois pay far more in income tax dollars than people in the lower quintiles.  But the governor and state legislature want to change the tax code from a flat tax to a progressive tax: taxpayers in the highest brackets would be charged a higher percentage of their income than those in the lower brackets.  The purpose, of course, is to raise additional revenues; Illinois' shortfall on its ability to meet projected pension obligations, and its credit rating, are the very worst among all the states and are virtually beyond repair.  Our governor, JB Pritzker, who is among Illinois' billionaires, has, Michael Bloomberg-like, poured $56 million of his own money into an ad campaign to convince Illinoisans to vote "yes" on the referendum.  They've dubbed the amendment the "Fair Tax".  Its prospects are uncertain; it is not easy to amend the constitution.  The referendum must receive 60% Yes votes from people who voted on the referendum, or 50% Yes votes from all voters in the election (whether or not they voted on the referendum).  

After casting my votes, I put my ballot sheets in the provided envelope, sealed it and stuck it in our mailbox on the front stoop for the outgoing mail.  No postage required.  I have a great and possibly naive faith in the US Post Office to get the mail delivered correctly and on time.  I've never been burned by the Post Office - so far.  One of my kids voted by mail a few days ago and received confirmation back from the county clerk that they received the ballot, so that's some confirmation that the process works.

Originally, I had elected to vote by mail for the same reason as many other voters: to avoid the risk of person-to-person interaction at a polling place on November 3rd.  But, having thought more about the situation this year, I've raised my hand to be an election judge.  I've taken the required class (online-only this year) and am awaiting a precinct assignment.  So I'll be exposed.  But someone has to show up to do this stuff if we're going to have an election.

* In Cook County, IL, the ballot has so many judges' races and judges up for retention that it's impossible for a legal layperson to make responsible decisions.  Newspapers perform a necessary service by researching the races and making thoughtful recommendations.