"I urge the Aurora Election commissioners to demand answers and hold management of the Commission responsible for the problems citizens across Aurora encountered today," Weisner wrote in a sharp statement. "I hope changes will be broad and swift so that Aurora citizens can vote with confidence in the next election," he continued. "Otherwise, we will need to seriously consider taking swift steps to abolish the Aurora Election Commission." Weisner was not the only elected official to speak out about problems at the polls. State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, contacted The Beacon News to report that the Fox Valley Park District referendum and the names of the judicial candidates in the Aurora subcircuit of the 16th Circuit Court did not appear on ballots in the city's 3rd Ward. Kane County Board member Paul Greviskes, one of five Democrats running for judge, said all the candidates were left off the ballot in at least three precincts, including a West Side precinct that did not have the correct ballots at 1 p.m. "I think it's mass incompetence by the Aurora Election Commission," he said. Tom Weisner, elected mayor of Aurora, IL in 2005, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Solomon Islands.
AU05_WEISNER_WEB.article, Mayor Tom Weisner blasts Aurora Election Commission
Mayor blasts Aurora Election Commission
February 5, 2008
FROM STAFF REPORTS
AURORA – In the wake of numerous reported problems across the city's polling places today, Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner expressed his disappointment in the Aurora Election Commission's performance.
And he even went so far as to suggest doing away with the 74-year-old election authority entirely.
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"I urge the Aurora Election commissioners to demand answers and hold management of the Commission responsible for the problems citizens across Aurora encountered today," Weisner wrote in a sharp statement.
"I hope changes will be broad and swift so that Aurora citizens can vote with confidence in the next election," he continued. "Otherwise, we will need to seriously consider taking swift steps to abolish the Aurora Election Commission."
Weisner was not the only elected official to speak out about problems at the polls. State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, contacted The Beacon News to report that the Fox Valley Park District referendum and the names of the judicial candidates in the Aurora subcircuit of the 16th Circuit Court did not appear on ballots in the city's 3rd Ward.
Kane County Board member Paul Greviskes, one of five Democrats running for judge, said all the candidates were left off the ballot in at least three precincts, including a West Side precinct that did not have the correct ballots at 1 p.m.
"I think it's mass incompetence by the Aurora Election Commission," he said.
Other voters and candidates also called in with similar problems – faulty ballots, untrained judges, missing names and questions.
But Carole Holtz, head of the Election Commission, said she believes this is much ado about very little. And she said she is disappointed Weisner did not call or talk to her before issuing his statement.
"The only thing happening is that some of the judges are overwhelmed with running two elections on one day," she said. "I think it's just human error."
Holtz said election judges should be trained every two years, but that training is voluntary. She said the AEC hosted six classes before the Feb. 5 primary election, but few of the judges showed up. Commission officials made sure each polling place had freshly trained judges, but Holtz did not know how many of the judges got instruction on Tuesday's unusual double election.
She said the commission sent out runners to each polling place throughout the day to look for and correct problems. She believes the AEC did all it could do.
"I would like (Weisner) to explain what broad changes he’s talking about," Holtz said. "We’re trying to do the best we can, but the judges are only human."
The Aurora Election Commission was established by referendum in 1934 by Aurora voters and is overseen by three commissioners appointed by a Kane County judge. The commission operates independently from the city of Aurora but is supported by funding from the county and city.
Here is the mayor's full statement:
"The ability for every citizen to have their vote counted is the cornerstone of our democracy. Every resident no matter their age, income, race or physical ability should have easy access to their polling place and know they will be given the right ballot. Today that did not happen.
"It is clear staff at the Aurora Election Commission have not been sufficiently responsive to our citizens' needs. Although the Election Commission is independently run, the City of Aurora has provided ample resources for its efficient operation. I am very disappointed in the Commission’s performance today.
"Management at the Aurora Election Commission has been slow to adopt new processes and technologies that make it easier for people to vote. Now, we cannot be sure how many voters or races were negatively impacted by the election problems reported today.
"Aurora residents pay too much for elections to be subjected to an inferior level of service. Unfortunately in recent elections, county government has also been plagued with problems. Right now, I'm not sure who our citizens can rely on to get the process right.
"I urge the Aurora Election Commissioners to demand answers and hold management of the Commission responsible for the problems citizens across Aurora encountered today. I hope changes will be broad and swift so that Aurora citizens can vote with confidence in the next election. Otherwise, we will need to seriously consider taking steps to abolish the Aurora Election Commission."
