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Do you know who yourCommitteeman is?

Do you know what yourCommitteeman does?

Do you know what a Committeeman issupposed to do?

Do you know if your Committeeman isdoing a good job?

Do you know who is running forCommitteeman?

If your answer to one or more of thesequestions was no, you are not alone.

This brochure will assist you inanswering these questions.

Electing ACommitteeman

Or visit:www.elections.il.gov

www.chicagoelections.com

On March 20, 2012, every ward inChicago will be electing both a

Democratic and RepublicanCommitteeman. This poses some

interesting questions:

Contact Michael Melander:mjmelander77@gmail.com

FOR MORE

INFORMATION :

What you should knowbefore you go to the pol l

March 20th, 2012

An official definition:

A Committeeman is an unpaid elected

representative of their ward in the County

Party Central Committee. The Central

Committee raises money, provides support,

and endorses candidates for office. They

also provide endorsements for all of the

judge positions that you see on your ballots

at election time. Moreover, the Committeeman is the leader of their Party in

the Ward.

WHAT TO EXPECT AS A VOTER

In the upcoming campaign for election, you shouldexpect and ask that candidates for Committeemanreach out to inform you on who they are and what they plan to do. Heres what you should demand:

To be informed as to whom the candidates forCommitteeman are

To be informed as to why those candidates arerunning for Committeeman

Candidates for Committeeman to explain what theirgoals are and how they will accomplish those goals

Forums, debates and other opportunities to meetthe candidates and get to know more about them,what they believe and what they plan to do

Transparency about who candidates forCommitteeman work with and support both now and in the past

Actual websites and outreach to the voters by candidates for Committeeman to solicit input fromthe voters and provide a meaningful opportunity for voters to make an informed decision as to whomshould be elected

A Voice and a Choice!

Informationprovided by

Mike Melander

and Tom Jacks

To download an electronic copy of this brochure, please visit:www.facebook.com/47thwardyoungdemocrats

The opinions expressed in this brochure are solely those of the authors.

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Theres a very simple test for this. One weekbefore any election, ask yourself the followingquestions:

1. Do you know who your elected officials are,what they do, and what they have been doing?

2. Do you know when the elections are andwhere your polling place is?

3. Do you know what offices are up for electionand who is running?

4. Are you informed about issues and candi-dates in the local election?

5. Has your Committeeman informed you with-out telling you who to vote for?

6. Do you feel like you have a voice in local poli-tics and a choice in the election?

If you did not answer yes to all of the above

questions, your committeeman has not beendoing his/her job.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IFYOUR COMMITTEEMAN IS

DOING A GOOD JOB?

C o m m i t t e e m a n D o s a n d

d o n t s

ACo

mmit

man shoud

ACommit

man

shou

d N

otProtect the integrity of elections and ensure

that polling places are well-run

Promote voter turnout, including

registering votersInform voters to make sure they understand the election process and they know who the candidates are for office

Recruit qualified people to run for officeand serve as volunteers

Raise funds for the local party andcandidates

Organize events, forums, and debates to

inform, educate and engage residentsabout candidates, local businesses, non-profits and civic and political issues

Ensure that campaigns are well-run andfair

Provide logistical support and promotecooperation and communication betweenthe various local office holders

Work with political organizations andcauses to inform and

connect the ward withnational or statewide

issues

Represent the ward to theparty and solicit input from

residents

Participate in any kind of patronage hiring or

any kind of patronagesystem

Take orders fromsomeone downtown or fromSpringfield

Tell the residents of the ward how to vote

Tell the residents of the wardwhats good for them and whatsnot

Wear two hats Committeemanshouldnt also be Alderman,Commissioners, Representatives orSenators; the conflict of interest istoo strong

Blackball people who dont agreewith the Committeeman or

Alderman