Lloyd Knudsen to Mike Nehf and STRS Board: Why the space for write-in candidates (and other ballot snafus)?

From Lloyd Knudsen, April 10, 2009
Subject: STRS elections
To our STRS Executive Director and Board,

Once again STRS retirees are receiving election ballots from VR Election Services. How many STRS elections do we have to have to get a ballot that does NOT include spaces for "write-in" candidates. There is no such thing as a write-in candidate for an STRS Board election, correct? Either you have qualified for the ballot by getting at least the minimum number of required member signatures or you have not, correct?

Is it VR Elections or STRS that can't seem to get this ballot thing right?

Voting is hard enough for us "old" people without bogus write-in spaces and directions that state completely fill in the box, don't use just a dot in the box, don't put a check in the box or don't put an x in the box. If these directions don't persuade members to vote by phone or over the internet, I don't know what will.

One final thought. Is there maybe an Ohio-based company out there that does elections? If there is -- I think we should give them a try. Unless the problem is us and not them!

Lloyd Knudsen
STRS retiree