Running for Office

Running for office and Early Voting

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/16/early-voting-disadvantages-outweigh-benefits/

I’ve been working as an Election Clerk for Early Voting for the Primary for my county (Williamson County) in Central Texas.  Thus, much of the material comes from my viewpoint:

But, from the article (linked above):

“Early voting — opening a limited number of locations where people can cast their ballots prior to Election Day — is a “reform” that states should reconsider. Its disadvantages seem to outweigh its benefits.

“Until the 1980s, states offered Americans only two ways to vote: in person on Election Day, or with absentee ballots intended for those unable to vote in person because of disability or illness. But proponents pushed early voting as a way of increasing turnout by making voting more convenient.

“Texas became the first state — almost 30 years ago — to implement the policy, which has now spread to 37 states and the District of Columbia (including three states that mail ballots to all voters).”

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But, a long time prior to voting comes the candidating part.  

Voting is an American right.  We are a representative democracy - where we select our leaders (that is our ‘representatives’) through a series of voting.  That obviously doesn’t mean we have the best leaders - as every person who thinks he or she might be a good leader has to put his or her name in for possible selection.  Or, (as has happened in the past), some group thinks you can push their agenda (like a labor union, organized crime, religious group) and talked you into running for a position.  

Putting your name in for possible selection can mean that good leaders are actually NOT running for political office.  Those potential good governmental leaders already are working at their ideal jobs (say in leadership in companies, education, or other endeavors) and the choice of leaving a job they love and do well at to become a candidate for an elected governmental position can be a tough choice.  

Let’s say you (my readers) are an excellent person (I’m thinking LMG) - solid, great background and skills, able to solve problems and display good judgment and critical thinking.  AND - you have a great job as (say) a professor. Why would you want to quit your job (or take unpaid leave) to run for a political office? [If you would consider taking unpaid leave or quitting a great job, I might question your good judgment!!!]

You would be faced with a tough choice.  Say yes to those that think you would be a good governmental leader - which might mean saying ‘no’ to your family and current livelihood.  

So, a potential candidate must make himself available to be elected.  If you consider a state like Texas, a candidate for a state-wide position (like governor or senator) would have to campaign already the state to get their name known.  That is hard to do when your family (or whoever) depends on you to bring home a paycheck.  

Campaigns (especially state-wide campaigns) can be very expensive.  If I (for example), thought my skills, background, temperament, values, and ambition would be good for the State of Texas, I would have to travel to El Paso (for example), Amarillo, Beaumont, Dallas, Texarkana and around the state.  I would need funds to stay overnight other than at home, eat out daily, be up at dawn to speak to people going to work at 7:00 a.m., to be around for a rally at 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. and to be on the go almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

So, a person has convinced him or herself that they would be a great person to lead some aspect of government.  If it was a job, they would apply and be screened and possibly hired, but for an elected position, you have to convince people to vote for you.  (which is campaigning). And, even if you are the best possible person for a position, in government, you have to appeal to the people to go out and vote for you.  Meanwhile, if you were applying for a job at a company, all you would have to do is go through the screening process and demonstrate to a selection committee that you had the skills and ability to move the company forward.  

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So, you (or those around you), have convinced you to run for office.  You make a public statement, you fill out a petition with sufficient signatures to run.  But, how can you be elected by people in all parts of a state (or in all locations within a city, town, county, district?)  

My personal bias is that a person who runs for elected office must have a sufficiently large ego to believe that they could be the kind of leader the position needs.  

And, then you get thrown into campaigning against others in your same political party.  That leads to a primary where the person with the most votes wins and goes to the next level - campaigning against a person from the other major political party - who like you, probably has a large enough ego to think they would be the kind of leader the position needs.

Oh my!!!

More tomorrow!!!

Karen

(I rambled a little today - I started out thinking early voting, but went to finding candidates!)