I just read the latest Sun City Community Assistance Network newsletter. In it, they gave a ringing endorsement to one of the candidates for the RCSC Board. Interesting! We are witnessing the beginning of a whole new ballgame in terms of elections in Sun City. With the RCSC requirement of voting by computer, what better way to target an audience of computer literate people than to campaign via email?
The promo Fairness is talking about Peg is the email blast sent to Sun City Community Network subscribers (those who provide email addresses to SCAN). They have endorsed one of their own, a volunteer they know personally and feel he would be a great addition to the RCSC board. Anyone who throws their hat in the ring at least deserves consideration; frankly it is a thankless job. That said, there is no better way to make your selection than to come by one or both of the candidate forums and meet them up close and personal. This election will be pivotal in the direction Sun City goes in the coming years. Fairness does bring up an interesting point: The whole concept of voting online could well be the precursor to online campaigning to secure votes from those savvy enough to use computers and network with them. It won't be the difference in this years election but watch what happens if we stay with online voting.
I think it might be a little early for dismissing online endorsements for this year's elections with voting yet to begin. If the Sun City CAN endorsed candidate finishes third in the voting and the fourth place finisher was one or two votes behind? I recall one of the candidates is/was the president of the largest club in Sun City with circa 2,000 members--all of which own a computer and have email addresses linked to the club. If that club would throw its full effort into electing one of their own it would/could have a huge impact. Think about it! We have had less than 500 total votes cast in recent elections. With 1/3 of the club members heeding the plea for support, their candidate could/would easily sweep to victory--this year. In my opinion, the online voting emphasis has given a huge advantage to those who are tied into a large email base. Tell me if I'm wrong!
In regards to the upcoming elections, I have fretted over the “electronic” only elections for Sun City since announced. My concerns are somewhat different though. Throughout history there are historical eras where whole classes of people were exempted from voting because of sex and race. It appears to this observer the newest exclusion is grey. Please allow me to indulge my concerns. By making the voting strictly electronic, we are saying to a bulk of Sun City inhabitants they cannot vote, unless they have a ride, on a single day, to corporate headquarters. If you are disabled in any way, your presence is not requested. I have heard nothing about the availability of large screen readers, TTY’s or TDD’s, or trained sign language experts available to assist with this election. How about those entitled to vote, but live in a care home or facility? Any initiatives set forth to capture their vote? Or, what about those home bound that usually rely on early balloting to cast their paper vote? Any outreach efforts to assist these folks? On the Arizona State website, it states “All polling places and vote centers in Arizona must be accessible to voters with special needs.” The site goes on to say additional measures should be made available, to include: Curbside voting: Voters who are physically unable to enter the polling place or vote center may ask that a ballot be brought to them by the election poll worker. Resources for the visually impaired: Magnifying Instruments, Large print version of the publicity pamphlets, and paper and pencil for the hearing impaired. AND my favorite, completely ignore by the group: Early voting by mail. Anyone tried to navigate the ramps at the Lakeview Center? Do it in a walker or a wheel chair, being extra careful to not lose your grip on the way down, or heaven help you on the way back up the ramp. The elevator is there, but is about one fourth of the way around the building from where the voting will take place. Does all of this sound accommodating to the needs of the handicapped or elderly? I feel this voting process is designed to eliminate the voting rights of those that actually help build this nation and this community. And this saddens me deeply. It would appear the next civil rights movement will start in Sun City with the right to vote for our representation that spends our annual dues.
Sooo many things I had not considered. What are the possibilities to help those who do not use a computer or unable to get out to vote? Many, and I do mean many, years ago way before I was eligible to vote, I went door to door asking if someone needed help getting out to vote. This included seniors and people needing a baby sitter. BTW. My guy won! Here is a unique suggestion. If a resident does not have a computer and/or cannot get to voting place, suggest they call the RCSC and arrange for someone with a laptop to come to them to help them vote.
Great Idea, have the folks call the center, but has this been an advertised option? It has been suggested here, on TOSC, but again, if one does not have a computer, how will anyone know to call. I know Sun City is a corporation, but is it still not one person, one vote? I realize turnout for previous elections has been dismal, but to know the results are already "in" for those that have computer access and electronic endorsements is what I would deem the newest form of gerrymandering. It is now even more important than any other election to please get out, learn the facts about the candidates, and make every effort to make sure your understanding of the issues is clear. The future of Sun City depends on all of use being engaged, this time it really matters.
Amber, you got me thinking about some other issues, so I thought I'd do a quick Google search to see if there is information on the Internet regarding why we do not use internet voting in government elections. In retrospect I kind of wish I had not done the search. I.T. professors from across the country along with I.T. heads of various large computer think tanks etc. have weighed in on the subject. If you have an interest, take a look for yourself. It makes for some interesting reading. Before I ran the search, I though maybe voting by Internet in government elections was on the horizon or maybe right around the corner. Not likely!
All valid points and concerns gang. On it's face, online elections sounds like the cat's meow, but in reality is it? Clearly some see it as a grand step forward and while I would argue it has merit, the question ultimately becomes does the upside outweigh the downside? The true measure will be how people respond once all is said and done. That coupled with the how many more people vote in this election will be very interesting. We know we have an varied slate of 8 candidates and a wide diversity of viewpoints. The candidate forums should showcase those differences and stimulate vote totals. If the end result is folks grumbling because they couldn't vote or yet again poor total voters, perhaps it will be time for a careful re-examination of how we engage people. I've long argued the need for a more open process of governance but the powers that be are ever vigilant in holding fast in controlling it. This election could be the tipping point. Nothing says my ideas are right, but from a historical perspective, there was a time when elections like this had twenty fold the numbers of voters and even more candidates than we see today. Time will tell and hopefully all of us will learn from the outcomes we get in this election.
Perhaps sometime in the future, voting could be done at one of the public libraries with someone available to help. Or how about a traveling voting booth. Kind of like the traveling libraries they used to have. Or maybe still do in some places. I can just read it in the newspaper now, "The traveling voting booth will be on the corner of A street and B Street on Monday, November xxxx".
Yet another voting idea. Nearly eveyone belongs to a condo/homeowners association, don't they? Perhaps one community minded person in the association would be willing to have people come to his/her house to vote. Now how much more convenient could that would be? Or would it be possible? I have already told a neighbor she can vote at my house. No charge, but I'd be willing to wager that for the convenience the voter would give the person helping some token of appreciation.
Endorsements I am in agreement with Bill Pearson regarding electronic voting having merit and that ultimately the best judge of how much merit cannot be determined until after the election. Only then will total voter participation be quantified. Additionally, the reactions of those voting on election day at corporate headquarters can be noted. Amber pointed out early voting by mail is an option that is not available. Considering that the RCSC announced in Sun Views that members can vote by paper ballot on election day, it seems inconsistent that having the option of voting by paper ballot by mail before the election is not. I am also puzzled as to why voting begins before the first candidate forum. That just seems odd. We can only assume all the election details/discussions/decisions were made in a "work session" of the board and the reasons will never be known. Renaming "executive sessions" and using them for virtually 100% of all RCSC decisions to hide the decision making process from the membership would also make a good subject/question for the candidates at the forum. Hopefully, members will not feel the urgency to vote via their computer before the first forum being they would still have 30 days to make their choices after hearing from the candidates on a variety of subject of interest.
I suddenly realized that people could not vote at my house because they would not have an email address. Fortunately, I set my neighbor up with one and would be happy to do so for other condo members. However, a "traveling voting place" would not require an email address. Yesterday there was a convertible with top down going down my street all decked out in red/white/blue. People in the car were waving. That's a unique idea. I didn't see name of candidate.
Fairness, I agree. Why aren’t the residents ever consulted about these type of decisions before they are crammed down our collective throats? There is a monthly newspaper that could have announced meetings and asked for input. There have been online surveys that could have asked about the pros and cons of a total online election, and some of these thoughts could have been elicited. Why does this board feel it is okay to operate without any consideration of the membership. Yes, I know, there were elected to represent the residents, so why are so many residents not being represented in this voting fiasco? Because the last elections have had the requisite number of candidates to fill the vacancies. More of a coronation instead of an election. By the way Peg, great effort to assist you neighbor. Great idea to help those in your condo area, but do you have the time to build web addresses for all of them, and maintain the web accounts, as I suspect this election is also another way to get folks to sign up for email blasts and the like. Just a gut feeling that someone, somewhere, will be bragging about how many additional persons are now using web access! Sounds like another forced march to me, and collateral damage will be those excluded from the process. Again, makes me very sad.
Amber, I agree with everything you have said about the RCSC checking the pulse of the community. Short of that, it would be a quantum leap forward if they would at least publish generalized summaries of work sessions--of course leaving out the items that normally fall under "executive session" privilege like legal action or advice and employee discipline. For years the board has had their short monthly meetings to rubber stamp decisions without discussion or debate and then trundled off to the recesses of the corporate offices for "work sessions" and to never be heard from again until the next rubber stamp session. They try to convince themselves they constantly "take the pulse of the community" by holding a member/board exchange once a month for a hour. Really?
