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It’s concerning that he wants to use the election judge role to “advance progressive causes.” Election judges should be the most non-partisan role in governmen

It’s concerning that he wants to use the election judge role to “advance progressive causes.” Election judges should be the most non-partisan role in government.

ringaroundthetx 9y ago
two votes to get him impeached, after getting 20 signatures
walshemj 9y ago
Your correct it should be, as should all legal posts. In the UK the acting returning officer oversees th election in his/her constituency and they are often non voting (by tradition) civil servants as are the actual poling place staff. There also a ban on any election material within a certain distance of a poling place though blank colours are allowed for poll watchers. Reminds me I must see about volunteering for the next election
bkohlmann 9y ago
Curious as to the downvote. I’d love to see the argument for how partisan election judges serve our Republic.
- ceejayoz 9y ago
  Given that he states he's instituting Taco Tuesday as one of his first acts, I'd suspect people are getting the vapors over a trivial joking statement. I'd also imagine the powers of an election judge are pretty limited. It sounds like they're the Philly equivalent of the person who runs an individual polling place in NY. Not much wiggle room for causes of any sort.
- PhasmaFelis 9y ago
  For starters, he didn't actually say that. He said: "This actually will be a great way for me to be more involved in my neighborhood and work actively toward more progressive change. I actually have a background in community organizing, and while I'm not entirely sure how this position could align with that, it seems like an opportunity to find some ways to at least more deeply connect with my neighbors." He's talking about becoming more active in his community on a personal level.
- pvg 9y ago
  The position and the execution of its duties is supposed to be impartial and non-partisan. There is no requirement at all that this also apply to the person elected or appointed to it. Few positions in government would be filled at all, if that were the case. We know the political affiliations of just about every judge on the federal bench, for instance.
- tdb7893 9y ago
  In this case the partisan cause is likely "have as many people be able to vote as possible". This is partisan because most people who get unintentionally disenfranchised are Democrats but the increase to franchise definitely does serve our Republic
bsder 9y ago
While I think this is mostly him having a good natured ribbing, let's assume he is serious for hypothetical argument ... You know what, I'm really tired of this. This idea that a role is "non-partisan" is hogwash and has NEVER reflected reality. Even worse, the Republicans do NOT believe this, and they utilize every single advantage to a position in order to advance their agenda. These kinds of false equivalencies that somehow the left is required to take the "high road" and remain hamstrung while the right can punch below the belt all they want must die. Sometimes you have to punch a bully to get the message through. It's time for the right to meet the fist of the left.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- lamarpye 9y ago
  Some Democrats use every trick in the book too: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/29/obamas.first.campaign/ http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/29/obamas.first.campaign... In his first race for office, seeking a state Senate seat on Chicago's gritty South Side in 1996, Obama effectively used election rules to eliminate his Democratic competition. As a community organizer, he had helped register thousands of voters. But when it came time to run for office, he employed Chicago rules to invalidate the voting petition signatures of three of his challengers. The move denied each of them, including incumbent Alice Palmer, a longtime Chicago activist, a place on the ballot. It cleared the way for Obama to run unopposed on the Democratic ticket in a heavily Democrat district.
  - beager 9y ago
    "that makes him smart"
    - lamarpye 9y ago
      Indeed it does. Although to be fair, he probably didn't know about it until he read about it in the paper.
  - 9y ago
amalcon 9y ago
He could plausibly mean "progressive causes" like making sure that people are not unlawfully prevented from voting. I'd surely ask him if I lived there, though.
- solotronics 9y ago
  I am genuinely curious what is unlawfully preventing someone from voting?
  - throwawaymanbot 9y ago
    I am genuinely curious why you are unable to google what is preventing people from voting? Are you on Gab?
  - dredmorbius 9y ago
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_suppression_in_the_United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_suppression_in_the_Unite... 1 Methods 1.1 Impediments to voter registration 1.2 Photo ID laws 1.3 Purging of voter rolls 1.4 Limitations on early voting 1.5 Felon disenfranchisement 1.6 Transgender disenfranchisement 1.7 Disinformation about voting procedures 1.8 Inequality in Election Day resources 1.9 Closure of DMV offices 1.10 Caging lists 1.11 Gerrymandering 1.12 Jim Crow laws 1.13 Off-year elections https://www.aclu.org/issues/voting-rights/fighting-voter-suppression/voter-suppression-diaries-save-democracy-we-need https://www.aclu.org/issues/voting-rights/fighting-voter-sup... In 2017, at least 99 bills that restrict access to registration and voting were introduced in 31 states. Thirty-two states have some form of voter ID law currently in effect. These ID laws don’t affect all people equally: people of color, low-income people, the elderly, students, and people with disabilities disproportionately lack the types of IDs that states deem acceptable. http://projectcensored.org/the-right-to-vote-a-candid-history-of-voter-suppression-in-the-united-states/ http://projectcensored.org/the-right-to-vote-a-candid-histor... In 2012, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) influenced several states to pass restrictive voter ID laws, which particularly impacted low-income voters, people with disabilities, and voters of color. Electoral reform is needed, López reports. Elections and the fight for voting rights are tools to be used to bring about revolutionary change and real democracy for the multiracial working class. There has not been any corporate media coverage of this story as of March 19, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/opinion/voter-suppression-trump-commission-ohio.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/opinion/voter-suppression... ...The Ohio law removed voters from eligibility for sitting out three election cycles and failing to respond to a state warning that their eligibility was at risk; this was proof enough, the state said, that the voters had moved elsewhere. Ohio says the law is no more than housekeeping, an effort to tidy up the rolls, not voter suppression. But the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled last September that it violated federal law protecting registrants who choose not to vote.... (One of several specific measures noted.)
PhasmaFelis 9y ago
> It’s concerning that he wants to use the election judge role to “advance progressive causes.” He didn't say that.
- khedoros1 9y ago
  > "This actually will be a great way for me to be more involved in my neighborhood and work actively toward more progressive change," Garcia told The Hill. And the other similar wording doesn't quite match "advance progressive causes", and sounds like commentary by the newspaper itself: > Garcia is hopeful that the position will allow for pursuing progressive goals for the district through community organizing. Still, I wonder why you'd think the "work actively toward more progressive change" quote couldn't be paraphrased as “advance progressive causes.”
  - PhasmaFelis 9y ago
    > Still, I wonder why you'd think the "work actively toward more progressive change" quote couldn't be paraphrased as “advance progressive causes.” But my real objection was the preceding bit, "he wants to use the election judge role to..." The full quote continues "I actually have a background in community organizing, and while I'm not entirely sure how this position could align with that, it seems like an opportunity to find some ways to at least more deeply connect with my neighbors." It seems clear to me that he's talking about being more active in his community on a personal level, not contemplating electoral fraud.
beager 9y ago
> Garcia also tweeted, "My first act as an elected official is to call for the impeachment of Donald Trump and also now every Tuesday in Manayunk is officially Taco Tuesday." I think your concern may be a little overblown.
- libria 9y ago
  The full quote is > "This actually will be a great way for me to be more involved in my neighborhood and work actively toward more progressive change," Garcia told The Hill. Context seems to indicate he was serious about this statement. His tweets are tongue-in-cheek but that's not a reason to dismiss everything he says in the article.
throwawaymanbot 9y ago
Its amazing how you mention "progressive" causes (did you read his humorous statement fully, he mentions taco tuesday etc??), But I don't see you mention gerrymandering by the GOP and all the other good stuff they like to do. THOSE are issues to whinge about. This is not. Are you on Gab by any chance? Progress is what made America great. Not backwards thinking.
mattybrennan 9y ago
It's not weird that an elected official wants to advance their agenda. What's weird is that precinct judge is an elected position in Philadelphia.

It’s concerning that he wants to use the election judge role to “advance progressive causes.” Election judges should be the most non-partisan role in government.

ringaroundthetx 9y ago

two votes to get him impeached, after getting 20 signatures

walshemj 9y ago

Your correct it should be, as should all legal posts. In the UK the acting returning officer oversees th election in his/her constituency and they are often non voting (by tradition) civil servants as are the actual poling place staff. There also a ban on any election material within a certain distance of a poling place though blank colours are allowed for poll watchers. Reminds me I must see about volunteering for the next election

bkohlmann 9y ago

Curious as to the downvote. I’d love to see the argument for how partisan election judges serve our Republic.

ceejayoz 9y ago
Given that he states he's instituting Taco Tuesday as one of his first acts, I'd suspect people are getting the vapors over a trivial joking statement. I'd also imagine the powers of an election judge are pretty limited. It sounds like they're the Philly equivalent of the person who runs an individual polling place in NY. Not much wiggle room for causes of any sort.
PhasmaFelis 9y ago
For starters, he didn't actually say that. He said: "This actually will be a great way for me to be more involved in my neighborhood and work actively toward more progressive change. I actually have a background in community organizing, and while I'm not entirely sure how this position could align with that, it seems like an opportunity to find some ways to at least more deeply connect with my neighbors." He's talking about becoming more active in his community on a personal level.
pvg 9y ago
The position and the execution of its duties is supposed to be impartial and non-partisan. There is no requirement at all that this also apply to the person elected or appointed to it. Few positions in government would be filled at all, if that were the case. We know the political affiliations of just about every judge on the federal bench, for instance.
tdb7893 9y ago
In this case the partisan cause is likely "have as many people be able to vote as possible". This is partisan because most people who get unintentionally disenfranchised are Democrats but the increase to franchise definitely does serve our Republic

bsder 9y ago

While I think this is mostly him having a good natured ribbing, let's assume he is serious for hypothetical argument ... You know what, I'm really tired of this. This idea that a role is "non-partisan" is hogwash and has NEVER reflected reality. Even worse, the Republicans do NOT believe this, and they utilize every single advantage to a position in order to advance their agenda. These kinds of false equivalencies that somehow the left is required to take the "high road" and remain hamstrung while the right can punch below the belt all they want must die. Sometimes you have to punch a bully to get the message through. It's time for the right to meet the fist of the left.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
lamarpye 9y ago
Some Democrats use every trick in the book too: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/29/obamas.first.campaign/ http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/29/obamas.first.campaign... In his first race for office, seeking a state Senate seat on Chicago's gritty South Side in 1996, Obama effectively used election rules to eliminate his Democratic competition. As a community organizer, he had helped register thousands of voters. But when it came time to run for office, he employed Chicago rules to invalidate the voting petition signatures of three of his challengers. The move denied each of them, including incumbent Alice Palmer, a longtime Chicago activist, a place on the ballot. It cleared the way for Obama to run unopposed on the Democratic ticket in a heavily Democrat district.
- beager 9y ago
  "that makes him smart"
  - lamarpye 9y ago
    Indeed it does. Although to be fair, he probably didn't know about it until he read about it in the paper.
- 9y ago

amalcon 9y ago

He could plausibly mean "progressive causes" like making sure that people are not unlawfully prevented from voting. I'd surely ask him if I lived there, though.

solotronics 9y ago
I am genuinely curious what is unlawfully preventing someone from voting?
- throwawaymanbot 9y ago
  I am genuinely curious why you are unable to google what is preventing people from voting? Are you on Gab?
- dredmorbius 9y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_suppression_in_the_United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_suppression_in_the_Unite... 1 Methods 1.1 Impediments to voter registration 1.2 Photo ID laws 1.3 Purging of voter rolls 1.4 Limitations on early voting 1.5 Felon disenfranchisement 1.6 Transgender disenfranchisement 1.7 Disinformation about voting procedures 1.8 Inequality in Election Day resources 1.9 Closure of DMV offices 1.10 Caging lists 1.11 Gerrymandering 1.12 Jim Crow laws 1.13 Off-year elections https://www.aclu.org/issues/voting-rights/fighting-voter-suppression/voter-suppression-diaries-save-democracy-we-need https://www.aclu.org/issues/voting-rights/fighting-voter-sup... In 2017, at least 99 bills that restrict access to registration and voting were introduced in 31 states. Thirty-two states have some form of voter ID law currently in effect. These ID laws don’t affect all people equally: people of color, low-income people, the elderly, students, and people with disabilities disproportionately lack the types of IDs that states deem acceptable. http://projectcensored.org/the-right-to-vote-a-candid-history-of-voter-suppression-in-the-united-states/ http://projectcensored.org/the-right-to-vote-a-candid-histor... In 2012, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) influenced several states to pass restrictive voter ID laws, which particularly impacted low-income voters, people with disabilities, and voters of color. Electoral reform is needed, López reports. Elections and the fight for voting rights are tools to be used to bring about revolutionary change and real democracy for the multiracial working class. There has not been any corporate media coverage of this story as of March 19, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/opinion/voter-suppression-trump-commission-ohio.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/opinion/voter-suppression... ...The Ohio law removed voters from eligibility for sitting out three election cycles and failing to respond to a state warning that their eligibility was at risk; this was proof enough, the state said, that the voters had moved elsewhere. Ohio says the law is no more than housekeeping, an effort to tidy up the rolls, not voter suppression. But the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled last September that it violated federal law protecting registrants who choose not to vote.... (One of several specific measures noted.)

PhasmaFelis 9y ago

> It’s concerning that he wants to use the election judge role to “advance progressive causes.” He didn't say that.

khedoros1 9y ago
> "This actually will be a great way for me to be more involved in my neighborhood and work actively toward more progressive change," Garcia told The Hill. And the other similar wording doesn't quite match "advance progressive causes", and sounds like commentary by the newspaper itself: > Garcia is hopeful that the position will allow for pursuing progressive goals for the district through community organizing. Still, I wonder why you'd think the "work actively toward more progressive change" quote couldn't be paraphrased as “advance progressive causes.”
- PhasmaFelis 9y ago
  > Still, I wonder why you'd think the "work actively toward more progressive change" quote couldn't be paraphrased as “advance progressive causes.” But my real objection was the preceding bit, "he wants to use the election judge role to..." The full quote continues "I actually have a background in community organizing, and while I'm not entirely sure how this position could align with that, it seems like an opportunity to find some ways to at least more deeply connect with my neighbors." It seems clear to me that he's talking about being more active in his community on a personal level, not contemplating electoral fraud.

beager 9y ago

> Garcia also tweeted, "My first act as an elected official is to call for the impeachment of Donald Trump and also now every Tuesday in Manayunk is officially Taco Tuesday." I think your concern may be a little overblown.

libria 9y ago
The full quote is > "This actually will be a great way for me to be more involved in my neighborhood and work actively toward more progressive change," Garcia told The Hill. Context seems to indicate he was serious about this statement. His tweets are tongue-in-cheek but that's not a reason to dismiss everything he says in the article.

throwawaymanbot 9y ago

Its amazing how you mention "progressive" causes (did you read his humorous statement fully, he mentions taco tuesday etc??), But I don't see you mention gerrymandering by the GOP and all the other good stuff they like to do. THOSE are issues to whinge about. This is not. Are you on Gab by any chance? Progress is what made America great. Not backwards thinking.

mattybrennan 9y ago

It's not weird that an elected official wants to advance their agenda. What's weird is that precinct judge is an elected position in Philadelphia.