Get Out and Vote: Tuesday, May 4

The 2010 School Board Election will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, May 4, along with the 2010 Primary Election. All registered voters may choose to declare a Party affiliation OR NOT. You can vote for School Board only, if you wish.

If you declare a Party affiliation, you will be given a ballot with the Party races on one side, and the School Board races on the other. Remember to turn the ballot over and vote on the School Board race.

If you don't want to declare a Party affiliation, just ask for the School Board ballot. That is printed only on one side.

The Decatur School Board ballot looks like:

If you live in Decatur Township, you can vote for any of the School Board candidates, no matter what District they are running in. They must live in the particular District, but the voters can live anywhere in the Township.

I would suggest, however, that even though you can vote for one candidate in District 1, that you leave that blank, as Cathy Wiseman is an incumbent and part of the problems we have with the rubber stamping Board. Since she is unopposed, unfortunately, she will be reelected as long as she remembers to vote for herself.

In the District 2 race, it will come as no surprise that I suggest you vote for Natalie Coffey and Bobby Hire - the first and last names listed in that race.

Print the following picture out and give copies to your family, friends, and neighbors (right click with your mouse and select "print picture" from the dialog box):

Everyone needs to get out and vote. This School Board election is not about ensuring Coffey and Hire win - but rather about ensuring that Coffey and Hire win by the widest margin possible. This will send a clear message that the voters of Decatur Township are fed up and want substantial change in how the School Board and the School District operate.

If you are unsure of where you vote, or if you would like to see the ballots available for your voting, you can log onto the Election Board "Voter Information Portal". You must put in your address and click "verify address", and then proceed to the information you would like to see. You can check to see if you are registered to vote by entering your birth date. Options available are to view sample ballots for your Precinct, view your voting location, get a map and directions to your voting location, and more. Its pretty cool.

There is one day left to tell you friends, family, and neighbors about the mess that is the Decatur Township School Board. Urge them to get out and vote. You also remember to get out and vote. The polls open at 6:00 am and close at 6:00 pm. Lets all send a strong message tomorrow. See you at the polls.