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Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:01 AM Apr 2020

Wisconsin is between a rock and a hard place

with regard to today's primary election. On one side is the concern over the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing risk to in-person voting. On the other side is the fact that the Governor of Wisconsin is not legally able to extend the time for absentee balloting, according to both state and federal courts.

Republican legislators, who control the WI legislature, refused to take up an emergency change of date or change of voting methods. So, the election goes on today. Probably the legislators were concerned that allowing more time would enable more Democrats to vote and affect the WI Supreme Court election that also happens today. They're probably wrong, though.

We should look at today's election as a harbinger of the future, actually. It may be something we'll all be facing in November's General Election, and also in other presidential primaries.

Voting is a state function, and is generally controlled by legislation in each state, as to time, place, and methods of voting. Republicans generally prefer fewer people voting, and so may well attempt to block any changes that make voting easier. That's their general strategy, since high turnouts generally mean more Democrats elected.

In Wisconsin today, television coverage at polling places show that people are coming out to vote, despite the risk of doing so. How many will turn out, and which party they represent as voters, remains to be seen.

In future primaries and in the General Election, it is very likely that we will still be dealing with COVID-19. In your state, it will be best if you can vote absentee by mail, for your own safety. So, please find out what is required to do so in your state, and do it. Help others vote safely, as well.

When Democrats vote in high numbers, Democratic candidates win. Let's not let Republicans dictate who votes and who does not. Vote, and encourage those you know to vote as well. So much depends on it. Vote safely, but vote. If there is no way for you to vote by mail or on an absentee ballot, vote anyway and follow all guidelines to protect your health.

We MUST vote! There is no workable alternative.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
39 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Wisconsin is between a rock and a hard place (Original Post) MineralMan Apr 2020 OP
Edited: I Withdraw my previous statement, and I give my thanks to all those below for their arguments LongtimeAZDem Apr 2020 #1
Perhaps so. It will avail him nothing, though. MineralMan Apr 2020 #3
This message was self-deleted by its author LongtimeAZDem Apr 2020 #5
Bernie Sanders has slipped below my threshold of attention, frankly. MineralMan Apr 2020 #6
This has absolutely nothing to do with Bernie Sanders. There is a critical Supreme Court liskddksil Apr 2020 #7
This message was self-deleted by its author LongtimeAZDem Apr 2020 #17
It would. It is. AleksS Apr 2020 #22
That is correct! ewagner Apr 2020 #29
I haven't thought about it in this way Politicub Apr 2020 #9
This really doesn't have much to do with Bernie. The GOP are trying to The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2020 #27
The number of voters in Waukesha County is likely to show whether Repukes rzemanfl Apr 2020 #2
It will be interesting to see who turns out. MineralMan Apr 2020 #4
It's all about the Wisconsin Supreme Court. n/t rzemanfl Apr 2020 #8
That race is interesting, but only to some voters, really. MineralMan Apr 2020 #10
They drive folks here in WI. AleksS Apr 2020 #24
Look at the video here- rzemanfl Apr 2020 #25
Looks like a pretty substantial turnout. MineralMan Apr 2020 #26
Waukesha County! ewagner Apr 2020 #31
You've seen the cartoon, right? rzemanfl Apr 2020 #34
Thanks ewagner Apr 2020 #36
De nada. n/t rzemanfl Apr 2020 #38
True, Sir The Magistrate Apr 2020 #11
Depending on the individual states, MineralMan Apr 2020 #12
This gives us a hammer to support that position. ewagner Apr 2020 #32
Those who view voting as a civil obligation and essential service to country and state frazzled Apr 2020 #13
As you say, if you take precautions, voting is no more risky MineralMan Apr 2020 #14
Most likely those repubs are hoping Bernie can pull out a win to keep this going. nt Kahuna Apr 2020 #15
Doubtful, I think. They're only interested in the Supreme Court race. MineralMan Apr 2020 #16
I still believe they are following trump's lead and rooting for bernie. nt Kahuna Apr 2020 #18
Precious few, I believe, are doing that. MineralMan Apr 2020 #19
Whatever. You're entitled to your own opinion. I've been watching repubs.. Kahuna Apr 2020 #20
I'm just watching the primary election results, really. MineralMan Apr 2020 #21
It doesn't matter that it's not helping him. Tara Reade Kahuna Apr 2020 #23
No, they don't care about that. The state supreme court is the big deal here. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2020 #33
Five voting locations for Milwaukee exboyfil Apr 2020 #28
This is a mess Jimbo S Apr 2020 #30
Why? n/t rzemanfl Apr 2020 #35
Because the gov called out national guard to do the job of the pollworkers who cant come. So WHERE Kashkakat v.2.0 Apr 2020 #37
I'm in Florida and was not aware of this. n/t rzemanfl Apr 2020 #39
 

LongtimeAZDem

(4,494 posts)
1. Edited: I Withdraw my previous statement, and I give my thanks to all those below for their arguments
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:04 AM
Apr 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
3. Perhaps so. It will avail him nothing, though.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:06 AM
Apr 2020

That die has been cast.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden

Response to MineralMan (Reply #3)

 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
6. Bernie Sanders has slipped below my threshold of attention, frankly.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:11 AM
Apr 2020

He has become irrelevant to the 2020 presidential race. The sooner he realizes that, the better.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

liskddksil

(2,753 posts)
7. This has absolutely nothing to do with Bernie Sanders. There is a critical Supreme Court
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:12 AM
Apr 2020

Seat on the ballot today. Do some research before making false assertions.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden

Response to liskddksil (Reply #7)

 

AleksS

(1,665 posts)
22. It would. It is.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:25 AM
Apr 2020

WI republicans are absolutely willing to kill men women and children for that SC seat. Kelly is currently serving in the WI Sup. Court, and though he recused himself, it’s why of course the SC voted to maintain elections in person today.

The SC in WI is high powered , and relied on by the WI GOP in the legislature to back up the skeezy stuff they’re always pulling. It’s why SC races in WI run into the millions of dollars of campaign spending.

WI GOP is the dirtiest in the nation. Now they’re adding murder to their rap sheet.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

ewagner

(18,964 posts)
29. That is correct!
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 12:11 PM
Apr 2020

Very few people I've talked to have any passion for the Primary vote...it's Supreme Court...


and

flying waaaay below the radar...this is the election of LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS ACROSS THE STATE...

City Aldermen
County Board Supervisors
Mayors
all non-partisan County Officials
Township and Village Boards and Chairpersons

The Republican not only refused to do the "by-mail" voting, they failed to amend the statutes so that all local officials currently holding office could hold their seats until a "mail-in" or an "in-person" election could be held to replace them...the current statutes says that ALL those positions expire on the Third Tuesday of April! NO EXCEPTIONS!
The Repubs refused to address that...the result would have been chaos!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Politicub

(12,163 posts)
9. I haven't thought about it in this way
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:14 AM
Apr 2020

But you're right. If Sanders would drop out, then the presidential primary would be moot.

Still, there may be local issues or races that are on the ballot. I agree with RBG that not allowing Wisc. to move it primary to June will disenfranchise many people, though.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
27. This really doesn't have much to do with Bernie. The GOP are trying to
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 12:02 PM
Apr 2020

keep a conservative on the state supreme court. That's what this election is really about. The GOPers believe that a low turnout means they win - but Republican voters will also have to come out to vote; I hardly think they all have voted by absentee ballot.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

rzemanfl

(29,540 posts)
2. The number of voters in Waukesha County is likely to show whether Repukes
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:04 AM
Apr 2020

are out in droves or not.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
4. It will be interesting to see who turns out.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:07 AM
Apr 2020

The situation is complicated by there being no primary opponent for Trump. That will probably reduce Republican turnout considerably.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

rzemanfl

(29,540 posts)
8. It's all about the Wisconsin Supreme Court. n/t
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:13 AM
Apr 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
10. That race is interesting, but only to some voters, really.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:18 AM
Apr 2020

Is it a race worth risking one's health? I think not.

Judicial races generally, even at the state Supreme Court level, do not drive voter turnout very heavily. This year, that's probably even more true, given the risks of in-person voting.

I'll await the results with some interest. Perhaps we'll know more tomorrow morning.

Since I live one state to the West of Wisconsin, I hope to see results in my morning paper.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

AleksS

(1,665 posts)
24. They drive folks here in WI.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:30 AM
Apr 2020

The ads, signs, and campaigning for this SC spot are staggering.

GOP knows they need the state SC to keep getting away with their dirty shenanigans.

The SC race here is a bigger deal than the presidential primary. It’s all the AM Right wing radio stations talk about, 24-7. They don’t care about Bernie/Biden, but they’re sure frothing at the mouth to get Kelly elected.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
26. Looks like a pretty substantial turnout.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 12:01 PM
Apr 2020

It also looks like most people are distancing OK.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

ewagner

(18,964 posts)
31. Waukesha County!
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 12:14 PM
Apr 2020

where they ALWAYS have a 99% turnout

where they ALWAYS find just enough votes at 11PM to bring a Republican across the finish line..

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

rzemanfl

(29,540 posts)
34. You've seen the cartoon, right?
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 12:20 PM
Apr 2020

&exph=468&expw=550&q=cartoon%2c+it+all+comes+down+to+waukesha+county&selectedindex=0&ajaxhist=0&vt=0

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

The Magistrate

(95,237 posts)
11. True, Sir
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:26 AM
Apr 2020

It is going to be hard to avoid extension of voting by mail for the NIvember election.





"When things are not called by their right names, what is said cannot make sense. When what is said does not make sense, what is planned cannot succeed. When plans do not succeed, people become uneasy. When people are uneasy, punishments do not fit crimes. When punishments do not fit crimes, people cannot know where to put hand or foot."

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
12. Depending on the individual states,
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:29 AM
Apr 2020

there may well be such extensions. But, state legislators will probably be called on to make that possible. Generally, the place, time, and methods of voting are a matter of legislation. In some states, where voting restrictions are the goal of Republicans, extensions may not be allowed, I fear.

I hope voters will take such matters under consideration and plan ahead to make sure they can cast their ballot.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

ewagner

(18,964 posts)
32. This gives us a hammer to support that position.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 12:16 PM
Apr 2020

Republican friends are calling Evers "stupid"....

I
don't
think
so

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
13. Those who view voting as a civil obligation and essential service to country and state
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:29 AM
Apr 2020

will come out. Understandably, many will not wish to take the risk. And they should not if they feel uncomfortable or have high risk.

We had to make that decision in March, when our state went ahead with its scheduled voting date of March 17. It was before the stay-at-home order was in place, but already a large concern, especially for those of us over sixty. We had not applied for mail-in ballots and were planning to vote on election day, as is our normal practice, except for the few times when we knew we would be out of state on election day. However, we did decide to go instead to one of the early voting sites, on March 13, in advance of election day. Felt it was our duty, just as we ask our service members, and now our health care workers and others, to put themselves in danger.

We chose a time when when we thought it might be less crowded (2 pm). It was: maybe only 5 or so other people voting. The check-in table was stocked with hand sanitizer, and the voting booths allowed us to be separated from others. We wore protective gloves (though not masks yet) and brought our own hand sanitizer. Three and a half weeks later, and sheltering in place since that time, we are still okay.

It is more risky today, as the virus spreads, so my empathy goes out to Wisconsinites who must make the decision. I would hope people make it: stand six feet apart, wear latex gloves and a mask if you can, wash or sanitize hands immediately. It will probably be no more risky than making the weekly trip to the grocery.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
14. As you say, if you take precautions, voting is no more risky
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:35 AM
Apr 2020

than a trip to the grocery store. We are all going out as necessary, and voting is very necessary.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Kahuna

(27,310 posts)
15. Most likely those repubs are hoping Bernie can pull out a win to keep this going. nt
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:48 AM
Apr 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
16. Doubtful, I think. They're only interested in the Supreme Court race.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:50 AM
Apr 2020

Even Republicans can see that Sanders has lost already.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Kahuna

(27,310 posts)
18. I still believe they are following trump's lead and rooting for bernie. nt
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:02 AM
Apr 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
19. Precious few, I believe, are doing that.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:05 AM
Apr 2020

Otherwise, Senator Sanders would be doing better than he is. Since he is losing massively, I don't think that strategy is working.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Kahuna

(27,310 posts)
20. Whatever. You're entitled to your own opinion. I've been watching repubs..
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:07 AM
Apr 2020

long enough to know how they roll.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
21. I'm just watching the primary election results, really.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:09 AM
Apr 2020

The strategy you mention is not helping Sanders.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Kahuna

(27,310 posts)
23. It doesn't matter that it's not helping him. Tara Reade
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:26 AM
Apr 2020

isn't helping either. That doesn't stop ratfers from doing what they do.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
33. No, they don't care about that. The state supreme court is the big deal here.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 12:17 PM
Apr 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

exboyfil

(17,857 posts)
28. Five voting locations for Milwaukee
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 12:05 PM
Apr 2020

The election is a sham, and I hope the Democrats craft a narrative for the Fall election from it.

At some point the GOP is going to come after your rights too (they already have, you just don't know it).

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Jimbo S

(2,955 posts)
30. This is a mess
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 12:12 PM
Apr 2020

Only five locations due to not enough volunteers to man the polls.

I vote Dem, but I hold the Dem Governor just as responsible for this mess as the GOP.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Kashkakat v.2.0

(1,752 posts)
37. Because the gov called out national guard to do the job of the pollworkers who cant come. So WHERE
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 02:03 PM
Apr 2020

are they posted? Why arent there enough in Milw to keep poll locations open????????????

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

rzemanfl

(29,540 posts)
39. I'm in Florida and was not aware of this. n/t
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 02:28 PM
Apr 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
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