About two years ago we experienced the closest presidential election in our lifetime. It took more than a month before we knew that George W. Bush was elected our nation's 43rd president, even though Al Gore received more popular votes. The process itself was marked by controversy and bitterness, and for some the ill feelings still exist. In particular, Florida was the subject of intense ridicule for its conduct of the election, and again recently it had more problems in its September primary election.

Illinoisans will be going to the polls soon for a major statewide election. On the ballot will be a U.S. Senate seat, all 19 congressional races, all statewide offices, every seat in the General Assembly, plus an assortment of judicial and county contests. In light of what happened in 2000, what can we expect here in Illinois on November 4?

These things we know for sure:

• Elections are not now, nor will they ever be, anything close to a perfect process. It's a complicated process run by fallible people.

• Several safeguards are in place to insure that all votes are accurately counted. Vote counting systems in all counties are verified before each election, often by rigorous testing by the State Board of Elections.

• Most counties, again in cooperation with the State Board of Elections, spend extensive time training their judges of election. After all, these are the people who actually run the election in each polling place. They are dedicated civic-minded people, and they are proud of what they do.

But could we make our election process even better in Illinois? Sure. Here's what to consider.

Upgrade voting technology

We've heard much about chads and how Florida has banned punch cards from all future elections. To take such drastic action in Illinois is unnecessary. Although punch cards are not cutting edge technology, they do have a reputation for accuracy if the machines are properly maintained.

Although most Illinois counties use punch cards, an increasing number are switching to optical scan. One advantage is that the voter sees the entire ballot at once and can clearly mark it as desired. And, if the ballots are counted in the precinct, the voter can make a correction if he/she under voted or over voted any office.

But we need to do more. The General Assembly should authorize the use of electronic or "touch screen" voting. Then each county could decide whether it wants and can afford this upgrade. Despite Florida's recent problems with touch screen voting, with proper training this can be a simple and user-friendly voting system.

Better pay and training for our election judges

The 55,000 election judges who work a 15-18 hour day barely make minimum wage. Better trained and better paid judges is the first and best defense against unintentional errors and intentional fraud. Otherwise the problems of recruiting and retaining judges will only get worse.

Provide more effective voter education programs

Illinois elects more people to public office than any other state in the union! This makes for lengthy and potentially confusing ballots. The success of an election depends not just on educating voters on candidates and issues, but also on how to register, where to vote, how to vote absentee, how to read instructions in the polling place and how to ask for help.

One possibility is to send a voter's guide to all registered voters prior to an election. This could provide the kind of basic information needed by so many. Several other states already have a positive reaction to such statewide guides.

Our election system in Illinois has worked remarkably well and no doubt will prove itself again this November. But some changes are still in order, and it is hoped that change will be welcomed and not feared as we protect the integrity of our elections. The public deserves no less.

Dr. Ronald D. Michaelson of Springfield has been Executive Director of the Illinois State Board of Elections since 1976. He currently holds an appointment to the Advisory Committee of the Federal Election Commission, is past national chairman of the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws, and is a frequent speaker on election administration and campaign finance.

The opinions and views of guest commentators are their own and may not represent those of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives or the electric co-ops of Illinois.

NOVEMBER 2002 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 5