No topic of so little consequence has generated as much reader feedback as the possibility of a new state flag. It was easy to brush off most concerns by reminding “no change” was always an option, and what’s the harm in a few possible sketches? But now that the Secretary of State’s Office has opened the online voting period my hackles are similarly raised.
For one, the folks in charge overlooked a reasonable suggestion to use this contest as a practical example of ranked-choice voting. This is especially confounding given Secretary of State Alex Giannoulias’ penchant for confusing his office with those of similarly titled officials in other states who actually have roles in election administration. Given the likelihood his current tenure is at least somewhat dedicated to resume building, this is a significant whiff.
Instead, ranked-choice advocates remain near the start of an uphill battle. People are unlikely to endorse a system they don’t understand and the best way to really grasp this methodology is practical application. So thanks for nothing.
But worse than a missed opportunity is seeing what folks in charge consider a better option. Visit ilsos.gov/stateflag and click the blue “vote now” button to view the designs and learn “You can vote for one flag once every 24-hour period. If you have multiple favorite submissions, you may select a different flag each day. Please review your vote carefully before submitting, as your selection cannot be altered after a vote is cast.”
Clicking “select flag” on your favorite opens a window reading “You have selected a flag” with a “submit vote” button. Clicking there opens leads to “Thank you for voting!” and lists the next eligible time. On a smartphone, you’ll have to prove you’re not a robot, but everything else is the same.
The good news is the website randomizes the list of options with each visit. The bad news is everything else: “You can vote for a flag once every 24-hour period” means “your house gets one vote per day, regardless of which device you use.” Take your phone off home Wi-Fi for a second chance. I voted three times in 30 hours at home, in Wisconsin then back in a different suburb.
A simple registration process would handle many of these problems, though it would discourage some participants.
Perhaps the angst is overblown, given the entire public process is nonbinding. The General Assembly ignores outcomes of statewide advisory referenda on actual certified ballots, so it’s entirely possible lawmakers will just do their own thing regardless of how the public process concludes on Valentine’s Day.
Change opponents can relish the lack of rigor as fodder for eventual floor debates.
• Scott T. Holland writes about state government issues for Shaw Local News Network. Follow him on X @sth749. He can be reached at sholland@shawmedia.com.
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