Propositions make it easier to vote
Another book signing for `The Last American Editor’
The Front Page
Morning Update
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Election Day
By Ken Tingley
It was the first time I had seen one of the signs in Queensbury.
It said simply: Vote against Propositions 1, 3, 4.
Nothing else.
It was an indication that, even locally, Republicans are against making it easier to vote.
Specifically, Proposition 3 eliminates the 10-day voter registration waiting period. For most of us, this is not an issue, but earlier in my career I was prevented from voting several times because I neglected to register in time after moving. In this new digital world, there is no need for this delay. Voting yes allows you to register to vote on the day of the election.
Proposition 4 allows you to obtain an absentee ballot for any reason. Currently, you have to have an excuse like being out of town on Election Day. It’s not like anyone ever checks to see if you are actually are in town. It just makes things easier for the voter.
I’m not sure why would anyone be against these commons sense measures. I imagine it has something to do with the national political debate.
Proposition 1 is a little more complicated. I read two editorials on Proposition 1. The Times Union endorsed voting yes, but Newsday on Long Island advised its readers to vote no.
In 2014, a redistricting committee was established to make redistricting less political. It appears that Proposition 1 undoes many of those proposals and makes it easier for the dominant party - the Democrats in New York - to redistrict in their favor. That’s not the way it should be. I will be voting no on that one.
Here is how Newsday described it:
“PROPOSAL 1: Albany's Democratic supermajority is trying here to tinker prematurely with New York's new system for drawing state and federal legislative district lines. An 11-member Independent Redistricting Commission is just now working to draft lines for 2022. The process has months to play out, but partisan change is already on the ballot. This proposal would make the panel and the overall process more susceptible to one-party control.
For example, the commission's co-executive directors could come from the same party. And the dominant party could overrule the commission's work more easily. Prop 1 allows a smaller legislative majority — 60% rather than the current two-thirds — to trash the commission's work and draw its own maps. Some elements of the proposal that have merit, such as counting prison inmates in the districts where they lived before incarceration, can be passed as separate measures in the future. Vote no Election Day.”
I was kind of shocked to see the voting signs up in front of the Queensbury campus entrance yesterday. I honestly thought Election Day was next week.
Granted, it is an off-year election, but it still snuck up on me.
As a newspaper editor for two decades, the local election season was often far busier for us. We would often hold more than 30 meetings with local political candidates to get their views and make endorsements.
You learn a lot about political candidates in a 30-minute meeting. Unfortunately, we are seeing fewer candidate events and opportunities to meet the candidates.
One colleague of my mine at a newspaper in another part of the state told me this has been the most challenging election season ever because of staffing issues. It’s something local citizens should be aware of. With less information, voting turnout often goes down and taxes go up.
I miss those editorial board meetings and I miss seeing the endorsements in the newspaper.
Make sure you vote today.
Book signing
My second book signing will be held Saturday in Saratoga Springs. The signing at Northshire Books is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m.
I will be right there in the front of the store. You can buy “The Last American Editor” there and have me sign, or bring the copy you have already bought to be signed.
The book is made up of 83 columns from my days at The Post-Star. It is a good news book, a love letter to the work we did at the newspaper. Check out the reviews on Amazon.
My favorite words come from colleague and fellow columnist Terry Pluto (Cleveland Plain Dealer):
“Ken Tingley not only writes from the heart, but he writes about the hearts of others. He tells great stories for those who live in his unique part of the world. Buy his book. Put it on the table next to your bed. When you’ve had a hard day, open it up: You can turn almost to any page and feel your heart restored.”
Hope to see you Saturday.
Moreau appearance
If you are up for more of a chat about newspapers, writing and the new book, I will be speaking at the Moreau Community Center at 1 p.m. on Thursday. It is also a chance to pick up a copy of the book.
I will also be making an appearance at the Glens Falls Senior Center on Tuesday, November 9 at 1 p.m.
Hope to see you there as well.
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