In the New Issue

First, in my article of the Pres of BOA race, I mention Bob Rice's predictions.
Here is his ward-byward spreadsheet.

Second, I mentioned our new web look. It should be up tomorrow, with new content coming throughout the month.

Finally, Brian Werner wrote an enjoyable piece about Write-Ins. Here it is:

Voters Without a Choice Choose “Someone Else”
Who would make the better Alderman: Mickey Mouse or Jimi Hendrix?

Both received write-in votes in last month’s primary election, as did Hillary Clinton, Charles Manson, and Phil the Stuffed Gorilla, though none of these received near as many votes as perennial write-in favorites Mr. and Mrs. Anyone and Someone Else.

In the March election there were only two races on the ballot and half of the Aldermanic races were uncontested, so why go through the trouble of casting your ballot just to vote for Handsome B. Wonderful?

A small number of voters in this election went even further and wrote-in names for both races on the ballot. It’s hard to understand why they would take the time to vote. Are they driven by a sense of duty to their country, or just a lack of anything better to do?

It could be just for a laugh, but there might also be something deeper.

Some people clearly choose to express their dissatisfaction with a candidate, casting votes such as, “Not him (Yuck)!! Please No.”

Even if they don’t have ill will towards the candidate, voters may question the point of filling in an oval for someone who’s running uncontested.

“I feel like it’s very undemocratic if there’s only one person on the ballot,” said one 8th ward voter. “I didn’t write in my neighbor thinking he would win. I just thought it was as worthwhile as voting for the guy on the ballot.”

Voting is about choice, and it doesn’t seem right if there’s only one option, even if it’s a good one. People choose to write-in, knowing it won’t affect things, because it’s not about actually accomplishing anything; you do it because you can.

And there’s a sense of defiance that comes along with it. You can vote for absolutely anyone you want to. In fact, knowing that your candidate isn’t going to win gives you the freedom to consider who would be a really great alderman. The options are wide open. You can vote for yourself, the guy who lives next door, or an effeminate cartoon mouse.

I wonder how Mickey Mouse feels about tax increment financing.

Wards with the Most Write-Ins
16th Ward: 66 write-ins, 3.29% of the vote.
8th Ward: 43 write-ins, 5.19% of the vote.
14th Ward: 41 write-ins, 6.15% of the vote.