Dems in Somerset County Get Column 1

by: huntsu

Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 10:04:45 AM EDT

In a massive reversal of fortune, the Democrats in Somerset County actually got column 1 for the November election. The last time that happened was ... well, I don't know when it was. It was a long time ago, though. At least six or seven years.

Somerset County has been tightening of late, and the massive surge in Democratic registrations this winter put the two major parties essentially in a tie. Of course, there are a ton of undeclared voters who consider themselves Republicans, but they can't be that interested if they don't vote in primaries.

Had Linda Stender had the first column in 2006 ... she still would have lost, but it would have been a little closer. Yeah, sad but true. This year, however, it's possible that the column could mean enough extra votes for Linda or lost votes for Leonard Lance to put her over the top.

Plus, North Plainfield Councilman Doug Singleterry and Montgomery Mayor Cecilia Xie Birge are running a strong campaign for Freeholder, which can only help. And their having the first column could even break the 30 year GOP lock on the Somerset Freeholder board.

And Michael Hsing, the Republican Councilman from Bridgewater who is running for Congress as an independent, is bracketed with the Libertarians in the third column instead of being buried somewhere in column 15 with the Marijuana Party like independents often are.

The GOP is in column 2.

All in all, this is the best case scenario for the Somerset County ballots. It's not gonna deliver a heck of a lot of votes, but it will help the Democrats a little bit. And in a tight race, that little bit could put us over the top.

huntsu :: Dems in Somerset County Get Column 1

Tags: Somerset County, Cecilia Birge, Doug Singleterry, Linda Stender, Michael Hsing, NJ7, Leonard Lance, (All Tags)

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Dems in Somerset County Get Column 1 | 3 comments

columns and brackets and such (0.00 / 0)

anyone have a good tutorial for why these things are so important on election day?

activist for hire.

by: Jay Lassiter @ Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 14:50:43 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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more like chicken soup (0.00 / 0)

It helps some, particularly on downballot races, to be in the first position. Whether it makes a difference if it is a row or a column, I will have to leave to the psychological experts.

I had heard that George Wallace did rather well in the 1972 primary in some urban areas because he had the first position on the ballot (it certainly wasn't because of his enlightened positions on race). If you don't know who George Wallace was (besides the comedian), look it up.

Brackets are only in the primary, but are very helpful there. You need a full freeholder slate in order to get a bracket which means you qualify for preferential treatment in the draw for ballot position (or at least until the Andrews case--thanks for nothing, Jay!).

by: Creed Pogue @ Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 01:20:30 AM UTC

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Be Real (1.00 / 1)

Ya, this may swing a few votes of those who miss-read the ballot. But face it, this is not going to make a real difference. People want to know how the politicians deal with real problems we have. I, for one, am really turned off by all the negative campaign ads. I voted for Democrats for last three elections, but this time I'm going for independent. It seems to me Michael Hsing really has the common sense that's lacking by either the Republican or the Democrat candidates in this race.

by: Lake2000 @ Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 04:04:42 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Dems in Somerset County Get Column 1 | 3 comments