Send Paul to the Electoral College

Local Election Tomorrow!

2007-02-26T21:50:00.000-06:00

Be sure to vote in the primary election tomorrow, Tuesday February 27, 2007! At least, in Johnson County, Kansas... check with your local election board!

Election Day coming up!!

2006-11-06T12:45:00.000-06:00

As a young Boy Scout, I can remember reading a special section of my Scout Handbook on “Citizenship” – it explained the basic rights and duties of me as a citizen in my community, in my nation, and in my world.

Of particular note was a simple table that listed on one side the “rights” that I can have as a citizen, and on the other side the “duties” that I have as a citizen. “VOTE” was the only act that was listed as both a right and a duty. It is something I remember to this day.

Many people have fought bravely for our right and duty to vote. Please honor them by exercising your right and duty to vote in this upcoming Election Day.

The Importance of Local Elections

2006-04-02T08:41:00.000-05:00

So many times I hear people say that they don't vote in the "smaller elections" because they "don't matter as much" as the Presidential Election which happens once every four years.

My belief is somewhat different. I believe that the local elections are far more important! There are several reason for this:

Local Elections affect my daily life. The local tax issues, the value of property, creation of roads and re-zoning of real estate affect my daily life. Local sales tax issues affect my spending, and local tax abatements for larger companies affect the local economy and my income. Local Judges make many decisions about the community law.
I have more voice in Local Elections. In a national election, even through the electoral process, my vote is one among the state. In a local election I am one vote in the city or county or even the ward or precinct, depending on the issue. My vote has a louder voice.
I have more awareness of local issues. Local issues on sales tax and property are easily understood and felt by members of the local community. However, it is very difficult for the average person (me included) to truly have a grasp of the needs of foreign policy issues or even many federal issues.
I have a greater understanding of local candidates. It is very unlikely that I will ever meet a Presidential candidate before the election, and even if I meet one I would not likely get to know them. However, a local mayor, council member, or judge is someone I can meet and get to know. I can spend time with them and understand who they are.

Please don't mis-understand me: the federal elections are very important. Just don't forget the local elections!

Don't forget to vote in the local elections on April 4. JoCo KS Election Board

Truman Sports Complex Stadium Voting

2006-04-02T08:40:00.000-05:00

I've heard news about a new stadium vote, but I can't seem to find any official balloting for Johnson County... It looks like the stadium issue is only for Jackson County, Missouri.

Local Government Politics - How to be effective?

2006-03-29T17:31:00.000-06:00

by Al Arnold Copyright 2006 Al Arnold

So, you have an issue with your local government. How can you most effectively convey your message? Without being able to effectively convey your message not just to the governing body, but your fellow citizens, your job of swaying public opinion and votes your way, is difficult. You need to organize your points.

You need to start by deciding what is the one BIG reason for you supporting or opposing an issue. One BIG reason is better than a multitude of small reasons. It is the old KISS theory. Keep it Simple Stupid.

* Your one BIG reason is how you start and end every discussion of the issue. People can understand one BIG reason. They might be able to remember one BIG reason. They cannot remember a number of little reasons.

* The one BIG reason should make "your cause" also "their cause." You must be able to explain why the decision is important to them, and not just to you.

* If you don't have one BIG reason, you risk the danger of switching your reasons around from one discussion to the next. People will get confused as to your real motives.

* If you don't have one BIG reason for your position, your job of swaying opinions just got much harder.

* Finally, if you don't have one BIG reason for your position, why do you have any interest at all?

Beyond your one BIG reason, you then must list your smaller concerns in priority. You do this in order to become organized in your position. You must be able to recite your smaller concerns one right after the other.

As your issues progresses, some of your concerns on your list may be satisfied. Cross them off the list. Or, maybe new concerns are developed. Add them to the list. Your goal is to have every one of your concerns satisfactory decided in your favor. Realistically that won't happen as compromises almost always have to be made. But, your goal is to win every concern.

Along with knowing your side of the issue, you must also know your opponents side of the issue. You should attempt to know their side even better than they do! Only be studying their side of the issue will you be able to develop arguments to counteract their position.

If you really wish to be effective in local politics remember these tips. They will help you to become a winning local government activist.

About the Author: Al Arnold is the Founder of the National Association of Local Government Activists. The association dedicated to fighting Local Government Apathy. http://WWW.LocalPolitics101.US He is also the author of Moving Mountains and Molehills Local Politics 101, a book that explains how you can be effective in local politics.

Johnson County, Kansas General Election - April 4, 2006

2006-03-16T08:32:00.000-06:00

Upcoming general election for Johnson County, Kansas. Don't miss out on this chance to vote on important local topics. Both cities of Leawood and Mission have an election for Mayor as well as council member positions. Prairie Village, Shawnee, and Westwood also have many council member positions up for election.

Announcing: The LOGO

2006-02-10T08:17:00.000-06:00

Here is the logo for our cause! I've settled on black and white because I believe that the determination of an electoral vote is black and white and should not be influenced by personal issues. It is reflective of my stance that the Electoral Vote should be determined by the people and not by the Elector.

What happens when a candidate dies?

2006-02-09T21:02:00.000-06:00

Visit http://jceb.co.jackson.mo.us/fun_stuff/electoral_college.htm for a great article on history of the Electoral College.

Did you know that in the 1872 election, Democratic candidate Horace Greeley (he of earlier "Go West, young man, go West" journalistic fame whose nomination makes a good story in itself) thoughtlessly died during that period between the popular vote for Electors and the meeting of the Electoral College. Read the story to find out what happened!

The Johnson County "Live to Vote" Campaign

2006-02-09T20:33:00.000-06:00

Leo Rostin states “The purpose of life is to count, to matter, to stand for something and have it make some difference that you lived at all.”

Voting helps ensure that your life makes a difference. We encourage all adult citizens to register to vote and then participate in each election in their community.
To commemorate the “Live to Vote” philosophy, the election office has created special blue wristbands that can be purchased for $2 each (minimum order of 5). The bands come in youth and adult sizes.

To order, contact the Johnson County Election Office at (913) 782-3441 or e-mail election@jocoelection.org.

Visit http://www.jocoelection.org/LiveToVote.htm to learn more.

Official Announcement: Press Release

2006-02-03T15:58:00.000-06:00

For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul D. McDonald, (913) 708-3037 paulmcdonald@sbcglobal.net

Paul D. McDonald Announces Desire to Serve in the Electoral College for the 2008 Presidential Election

Overland Park, Kansas (Friday, February 03, 2006) – Paul D. McDonald, a registered voter and resident of Overland Park has announced his desire to serve as an Elector with the Electoral College in the 2008 Presidential Election.

Paul stated, “Each state has its own method of choosing electors. In Kansas, it is my understanding that the Office of the Governor appoints electors.”

“It is also my understanding,” Paul continued, “that in the past, Electors were appointed as a kind of ‘political favor’ … at least, that’s what I’ve heard. I do not think that any office in government should be as a result of a favor.”

Paul admits that the process of choosing electors in Kansas is shrouded in some mystery. Paul has attempted to get information from many elected officials at the state and federal level on the process. “I’ve contacted the Governor’s office several times to get more information and have not gotten a response. I did get a response from the Kansas Secretary of State’s office, but they sent me information on how to get in the electoral college in North Carolina!”

“I’ve always wanted to serve my country in some capacity,” Paul said. “The Electoral College is a practical way for me to fulfill that dream.”

Paul maintains a blog on his progress at http://letpaulvote.blogspot.com/.

This page can be found at http://letpaulvote.blogspot.com/2006/02/official-announcement-press-release.html

Photo available at http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2954/916/200/paul-pic.jpg

Online Petition

2006-02-03T13:58:00.000-06:00

Instructions: If you agree with this letter and are a registered voter in the state of Kansas, please sign the petition simply by adding a comment. You can also forward this post by email by clicking on the "email post icon" -- the one that looks like an envelope!

An Open Letter of Petition to the Governor of the Great State of Kansas

We support Paul McDonald of Overland Park Kansas and desire to have him represent our great state in the Electoral College of 2008. We have great trust that he will rightfully represent not only we that sign this petition, but also those who cast their vote in the general elections.

Let the Electoral College be not a place of political favors but a place of true government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

This page can be found at http://letpaulvote.blogspot.com/2006/02/online-petition.html

2008 Electoral College Plan

2006-02-03T13:25:00.000-06:00

Send Paul to the Electoral College in 2008!

Mission

Paul McDonald of Overland Park will represent the Great State of Kansas in the 2008 Electoral College

Objectives

Appoint Paul McDonald of Overland Park to the Kansas Electoral College in 2008
Cast a clean electoral vote in the election
Create awareness of the Electoral process
Increase voter participation in all general elections

Strategies

Appoint Paul McDonald of Overland Park to the Kansas Electoral College in 2008

Create major support among the constituents for Paul to be in the Electoral College
Regularly communicate that support to the Office of the Governor
Rally support among political influencers

Cast a “clean electoral vote” in the election

Cast the electoral ballot as dictated by the people of the state of Kansas

Create awareness of the Electoral process

Gather information about the Electoral College and process
Regularly post on the internet

Increase voter participation in all general elections

Add “voter awareness” initiatives to website
Encourage everyone to vote in upcoming elections and promote those elections
Implement a “voter registration” drive every year

This page can be found at http://letpaulvote.blogspot.com/2006/02/2008-electoral-college-plan.html

Does anybody know how this works?

2005-12-30T10:06:00.000-06:00

The governor's office won't say anything, the legislature can't find out anything, the political parties aren't talking... and former Governor John Carlin (now the head of the National Archives) has passed the buck to a Librarian to tell me that they can't tell me anything either...

I hate to dissapoint Mr. Hartley, but I've already been ignored by the Kansas Secretary of State, too... but I'll try again, just for fun!

How does anyone get elected President if no one knows how the Electoral College is formed?

The Big Dog: Certificate of Vote

2005-12-01T21:25:00.000-06:00

And here it is... the "Certificate of Vote" for the 2004 Presidential Election for the State of Kansas...

This is the actual document that represents the vote for the electors of the state. There are many copies of the certificate for each state (to be sent to various places of record throughout the government) but each certificate is to be identical. All electors for a given state (or commonwealth or other electoral district such as Washington DC) sign the same copies.

There is not one certificate of vote for each elector, but several identical copies for each state signed by all electors for the state.

Pretty cool, huh?

2004 Kansas Certificate of Ascertainment

2005-12-01T21:21:00.000-06:00

Here's what it looks like: The Kansas Certificate of Ascertainment.

A Certificate of Ascertainment lists the:

names of the electors chosen by the voters and the number of votes received
names of all other candidates for elector and the number of votes received

The Governor of each State prepares seven original Certificates of Ascertainment listing the persons appointed as electors as soon as possible after the November election.

Each Certificate must be signed by the Governor and carry the seal of the State. One of the seven original Certificates of Ascertainment, along with two certified copies (or two additional originals) must be sent by registered mail to the Archivist of the United States.

Federal law does not govern the general appearance of the Certificate of Ascertainment. The remaining Certificates are paired with the Certificates of Vote at the Meeting of Electors in December.

Read the Certificates of Ascertainment Preparation and Distribution Instructions

Rep. Kinzer Responds

2005-12-01T20:26:00.000-06:00

State Representative Lance Kinzer has given the following response:

"Here is the link for information on the process http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/state_responsibilities.html#appointing

Basically, the Feds leave it up to the states to determine what process they want to use for selecting the delegates. Previously, the state committee has selected the delegates at the summer meeting of the Presidential election year. Usually, the state chairman appoints three or five individuals to a selection committee. The committee accepts nominations from the state committee and recommends delegates that are then, approved by the state committee.
However, that process could always change for the next election."

So there's a COMMITTEE!!! Committees can be petitioned. I've asked Rep Kinzer to get me some contact information for this committee...

State Rep Lance Kinzer

2005-11-27T19:33:00.000-06:00

Kansas State Representative Lance Kinzer has offered to get me some information on the Electoral College membership in the state of Kansas. I'm looking forward to it and will post what I find!

Encarta

2005-11-22T07:09:00.000-06:00

Microsoft Encarta's Electoral College article.

Appointment of Electors

2005-11-20T22:19:00.000-06:00

The following article was found that provides some detail on electoral college nominations:

"The United States Constitution and Federal law do not prescribe the method of appointment other than requiring that electors must be appointed on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November (November 2, 2004). In most States, the political parties nominate slates of electors at State conventions or central committee meetings. Then the citizens of each State appoint the electors by popular vote in the state-wide general election. However, State laws on the appointment of electors may vary.

Under the Constitution, State legislatures have broad powers to direct the process for selecting electors, with one exception regarding the qualifications of electors. Article II, section 1, clause 2 provides that "no Senator, Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States" may be appointed as an elector. It is not settled as to whether this restriction extends to all Federal officials regardless of their level of authority or the capacity in which they serve, but we advise the States that the restriction could disqualify any person who holds a Federal government job from serving as an elector. "

I'm being ignored!

2005-10-02T20:27:00.000-05:00

So far, I have been ignored by every single person in my state legislature (I emailed them), the Governor of Kansas, and my Senator and Congressman! I've also been ignored by the Kansas Republican Party Headquarters.

I guess I'll just have to expand!

How do you get in the Electoral College, anyway?

2005-09-29T19:26:00.000-05:00

I have no idea, all I know is that it is a goal. I am hoping to learn about the process here and post my findings.

What I have found so far is that no one that I have contacted: Senators, Representatives, Congressmen, Governors, local elected officials, party delegates--no one! has responded to my request to learn more about the process.

Send Paul to the Electoral College!

2005-09-27T16:34:00.000-05:00

It has been a dream of mine for some years now, and I have decided to work toward this goal. I have no idea where to begin.

I would like to one day serve my country by being a member of the Electoral College and cast my vote for President and Vice President of the United States.