Greetings All!

Election Update:

Election Dates to Remember:

Advance voting by mail    Oct. 15, 2008 through Nov.4
                                     You must apply for a ballot
                                     Your completed ballot must be received by 7p.m. on election day

Last day to register        Oct. 20, 2008

Advance voting in person    Oct. 21, 2008 through Nov.3 noon
                                        Four walk-in locations in Jo. Co.
                                        Closest 17th district location:   
                                            12156 Shawnee Mission Pkwy
                                            Ten Quivira Plaza
                                            1 block west of Quivira Road
                                            10 a.m.-7 p.m. M-F
                                            9 a.m.-3p.m. Sat.
                       
FALL GENERAL ELECTION    Nov. 4, 2008
                                        7 a.m.-7 p.m.
                                        Vote at your assigned polling place

For information about how to register to vote, how to get an advanced voter application, where your polling place is, and other election details, go to www.jocoelection.org.

Ballot Questions:

There are two major questions on the November ballot in Johnson County. Question 1 has to do with the selection of district judges.  Question 2 proposes a 1/8 cent sales tax.

Question #1
This question asks whether Johnson County wants to change the way it selects district judges.  Currently district judges in Johnson County are selected using a non-partisan merit system.  A nominating commission of seven lay members and seven lawyers recommends three judge candidates.  The governor appoints one from that list.  Voters then decide every four years whether to retain them. The question basically is this:  shall this nonpartisan system be discontinued and replaced by partisan elections to fill judges’ positions?

Should judges run for office?  Should they raise funds and campaign for the public vote?  Can judges remain impartial and not be swayed by campaign contributors who appear before the court either as counsel or defendants?  Can judges’ make unpopular decisions and not worry if those decisions will hurt future fundraising or re-election?

If you want to learn more about how merit selection works and these potential problems, go to www.justicenotforsale.org.

The League of Women Voters, the Chambers of Commerce of Leawood, Lenexa, Northeast Johnson County, Olathe, Overland Park and Shawnee, and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce urge a NO vote on this question.


Question #2
On November 4th, voters in Johnson County will also vote on Question 2…whether to approve a one-eighth cent sales tax that will establish the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle. If approved the sales tax will generate approximately $15 million each year. Three new facilities will be constructed in Johnson County:
•    The University of Kansas Edwards Campus Business, Engineering, Science and Technology Center in Overland Park,
•    The Kansas State University Innovation Campus National Food and Animal Health Institute in Olathe, and
•    The University of Kansas Cancer Clinical Research Center in Fairway.     
The Triangle Authority will oversee distribution of approximately $5 million to each of the three facilities annually.  These projects will bring higher education opportunities to JOCO, create a world-class cancer center, and bring in significant research dollars to drive economic growth and stability. For more information, check out this website: http://www.jocotriangle.org/

Want to help supporters of the Research Triangle get out the vote?  You can help by sending out postcards or e-mails, locating and distributing yard signs, finding groups wanting informational presentations and joining the Advocacy Council.   To get involved in this grassroots effort contact Justin Nichols at  JNichols@LathropGage.com, or Marilyn Breitenstein  at mbreitenstein@twgconsulting.com or attend one of these gatherings:

Oct. 1, 5-8 p.m.:  Kickoff Event at the Campaign office, 3836 W. 95th St.
•    bring 10 friends
•    listen to the program at 5:45p.m.
•    pick up yard signs and post cards
•    mail out 20 “Get Out The Vote” post cards

Oct. 16, 7-8:30 p.m.:  Community Briefing at the Sylvester Powell, Jr Community Center, 6200                                    Martway Mission, KS
Nov. 4, 7-10 p.m.:  Election Watch Party at the Overland Park Doubletree Hotel

Campaign Update:

Jill’s Yard Signs
My thanks to those who have requested my yard signs.  October 4th is our target date for putting them out.  A big THANK YOU to Shawnee Mission Northwest American Government students, Matt Bergman, Kelly Cole, and Zack Cole who distributed most of the yard signs to your doors. 

It still is not too late to request a yard sign.  Matt, Kelly, and Zack will be joined by Lauren Scarboro and continue to help with yard sign distribution and walking neighborhoods for the next few weeks.  Call me or send an email with your name and address if you want a sign.

McCain-Palin Yard Signs
Several people have contacted me requesting McCain-Palin yard signs.  The Johnson County Republican Party has a limited number of McCain/Palin yard signs, bumper stickers, and three types of buttons available at their office.  A$3 donation for each yard sign, $1.25 for each bumper sticker, and $3 for each button is requested.
The office is located at 10116 W. 105th St., Overland Park, KS 66212, basically the Northwest side of 105th and Mastin.  For further information call the Johnson County Republican Party at 913-341-8683.

Trivia:
1 yard sign = 7 votes!!

Johnson County had a voter turnout of 75.5% in the 2004 Presidential election.  Of those voters, 38% used advanced voting.

The Johnson County election office has 16 full-time employees. It oversees 25 voter registration sites, has 1,800 touch-screen voting machines, and will recruit, train and supervise between 1,400 and 1,800 election workers for the primary and general elections in 2008.

Jill’s Recent Activities:

T-LINK consultation meeting, a discussion between KDOT and community stakeholders regarding plans for the state’s next transportation plan.

Medical Society of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties 2008 Recognition Dinner, honored Wy/Jo Care Volunteers (a network of physicians, hospitals, and medical specialists who provide charity care for low-income, uninsured residents of Johnson and Wyandotte counties).

KHPA 2008 Public Hearing Tour, preview of 2009 legislative session and strategies for meeting the needs of Kansas health consumers.

Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus 17th Annual Torch Dinner, awarded Mainstream Coalition the community service award for supporting the power of women through community service.

Shawnee Mission Education Foundation 16th Annual Fall Breakfast, Dr. Gene Johnson, the new superintendent of the district, presented the State of the District address; I was a guest of AT&T.

8th Annual Meneilly Stand Up, Speak Out Award Luncheon and 15th Birthday Celebration, three founders (Nancy Brown, David Goldstein, and Rabbi Mark Levin) were recognized for their contributions.

It is an honor to represent you.  Please contact me when I am not in session at:
PO Box 14823
Lenexa, KS  66485
913-541-9645
jill@jillquigley.com

Jill Quigley
Your Representative
Kansas House District 17