I was always taught that voting was a sacred duty and that the ballots are necessarily secret. My parents would never tell me whom they voted for when I asked, and I got the impression that when I became enfranchised, I’d be expected to keep my trap shut too. The Welsh in me is going to prevent that; and since this election cycle has been a big joke for the most part, I can’t really blame the Plain Dealer for putting stories about teenage blogging and synchronized football baptisms on the front page, above the fold, the day before the election. You can’t do anything if there is no news. This election I’m much more excited about the issues on the ballot than the candidates. That said, here is how I’m planning on voting:
Mayor:
I’m voting for Frank Jackson, not because I’m particularly fond of anything he’s had to say at any time, ever, but because, as an incumbent Mayor, Jane Campbell has had an entire term in office to seal up her re-election, through a variety policy and leadership means. Her weakness as a candidate has already been aptly demonstrated by the lack of confidence most people I’ve met have had in her. I voted for Triozzi in the primary and probably would have gone with Lynch otherwise, I thought their ideas were a bit stronger and they seemed a lot less interested in bloviating and more interested in actual interaction. Jackson could very well be just as tiresome as the current mayor, but Cleveland needs change and until we get some leadership that incites it, I’m going to keep voting for change in the leadership.
Ward 13 Councilperson:
Well, I’m voting for Joe Cimperman. I’ve met Mr. Cimperman several times, almost been hit by his Saturn once [I wasn’t paying attention] and most importantly, I have no idea who this Laurel person running against him is. The closest thing I’ve had to interaction with Laurel is picking up a dirty and wet piece of litter on the sidewalk in front of my apartment and seeing that it was a flyer from her. Plus, Joe has a condor.
Judge:
I’m not voting for anyone for judge. I understand the reasoning for voting for judges, but there is no way I can tell which judge is worthy of my vote because I never see them campaigning or hear anything about their campaigns. If you don’t give me anything to judge, you wanna-be judge, I’m not going to judge anything. I could vote for Lynn McLaughlin-Murray since she lives right down the street from me, but then, so does Rocco Whalen. NO VOTE FOR YOU, JUDGES.
Issues 1–7:
I’m voting yes to all of these, not because I’m one of those voters who is just going to go all yea or all nay, but because they all sound pretty reasonable based on my research. Also, my mom would strip the skin from the bottom of my feet if I voted against a developmental-disability levy.