Snow Vote

So we’re going to be voting a bit earlier in the Illinois primary starting next year. I still think we’re asking for trouble from Mother Nature in trying to hold an election on February 5th. While it doesn’t snow every 2/5, it does so often enough. And it’s almost always cold. The result is going to be varying degrees of voter suppression. Karl Rove would be proud.

It’s also ridiculous that some are justifying the move as a way to help Barack Obama’s chances in next year’s Democratic primary, something that apparently has some bipartisan support:

Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, who voted for the bill, said he doesn't think the earlier date will be a factor in local elections.

"If it helps (Obama) in the Democrat primary, I'm all for it," Bomke said, adding that his concern is that Illinois have a voice in who will ultimately be president of the United States.

I’m glad Bomke has the best interest of Democrats at heart.

I understand the larger rational: everyone else is doing it. If we didn’t move the primary, we would be all but irrelevant in the primary process. But the result nationally, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, is going to be a lower turnout due to weather. Hopefully, alternative voting methods (early voting, absentee ballots and voting by mail) will somewhat offset this.