Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter-News Analyst November 3, 2015 7:55 p.m.
Almost 45 minutes after the polls closed, the results are in: Ballot questions have passed; Kreger defeats Kavanaugh for Group 5; Gass and Smith head to runoff for Group 4. Miller wins straw vote for mayor.
Top vote getters: Straw ballot for mayor, Johnny Miller, Leonard A. Kreger winner Group 5, and runnoff candidates Pat K Gass and Roy G. Smith
City Commissioner Group 4 Participating Precincts Completely Reported: 3 / 3
Congratulations to all for a hard fought contest. Sad that turnout barely topped the 20% mark, but they were votes by those that truly involved in the City and its future. Congratulations to Len for the outright victory and to Pat and Roy for moving to the next stage. A nice late birthday present for Johnny!
Roy G Smith (@guest_45369)
8 years ago
#45369
I would like to thank everyone who exercised their right to vote yesterday.
Please do so again on December the 8th.
Andrew Curtin(@bkdriverajcgmail-com)
8 years ago
#45370
In view of the 15 point differential between Comm. Gass and Mr.Smith,I would urge Mr.Smith to concede the election and save the city the cost of a runoff.Also,it would likely generate some goodwill towards him,should he choose to run again.
Come on Andy! Look at past run-off elections and you will see ample results where the second place finisher overcame a wide margin from the general election and finished in first place. Let the process play out as it should as you never know who Jennifer & Jim might ask their supporters to vote for (if they do). I just hope the same 20% that voted in the general election will vote in the run-off and not the 12 – 14% seen in previous elections.
Absolutely! That eleventh-hour smiley-faced gaming of districts was inexcusable. I’m your commissioner – oh wait no, I’m not your commissioner ’cause the competion looks too tough over here, let me slip over there where it looks easier. Ooops, it wasn’t as easy as I calculated. Go Roy!
Karen Thompson (@guest_45375)
8 years ago
#45375
Andy, always the sore loser. Why doesn’t Pat pull out of the election? She’s usually just an obstruction to any forward movement in this city because of her ridiculous views on city finances. I’m not sure she can get over the loss of her pal Joe Gerrity and work well with a new city manager. I agree with Steve. Roy Smith will win in the runoff. He’s the best qualified for the position and without a stacked deck should win easily.
Andrew Curtin(@bkdriverajcgmail-com)
8 years ago
#45376
Dave,
Mixed bag.Some examples:Pelican(47) vs. Elwell(26) in general.Run off,Pelican landslide;Curtin vs.Miller,about 40 votes separation in general,very close,runoff warranted,Miller win. Corbett(1) vs. Poynter(2) in general.Fairly small point spread.Run off reversed order,Poynter win.
I think in all cases,run off turn out was less than the general.
In any event,it’s good to see people are reading the comments.
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
8 years ago
#45378
I guess the $64,000 question to you Andy is would you have made the same suggestion if the tables were turned and Pat finished in second place by the same margin?
Yes, I suspect run-off turn out will be significantly lower unless the voters heed the advice of the departed Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to “vote early and vote often”!
Andrew Curtin(@bkdriverajcgmail-com)
8 years ago
#45380
Dave,
Probably,in order to save taxpayer dollars.My contention is a close race certainly justifies a run off,whereas a 15 point spread is not likely to change the outcome.
Time will tell I guess. In a 4 candidate race where the vote total for the two candidates eliminated almost matched the total of the 1st place candidate, the final outcome can easily change depending upon the political philosophy/positions of the eliminated candidates compared to the remaining candidates. If not much difference, a split is likely and the result won’t change; but if there is an alignment to one of the remaining candidates (further emphasized through an endorsement) the run-off result can either be a reversal, blow-out or nip and tuck. I guess we will have to wait until the evening of Dec. 8 to find out.
Precinct Details 
Congratulations to all for a hard fought contest. Sad that turnout barely topped the 20% mark, but they were votes by those that truly involved in the City and its future. Congratulations to Len for the outright victory and to Pat and Roy for moving to the next stage. A nice late birthday present for Johnny!
I would like to thank everyone who exercised their right to vote yesterday.
Please do so again on December the 8th.
In view of the 15 point differential between Comm. Gass and Mr.Smith,I would urge Mr.Smith to concede the election and save the city the cost of a runoff.Also,it would likely generate some goodwill towards him,should he choose to run again.
Come on Andy! Look at past run-off elections and you will see ample results where the second place finisher overcame a wide margin from the general election and finished in first place. Let the process play out as it should as you never know who Jennifer & Jim might ask their supporters to vote for (if they do). I just hope the same 20% that voted in the general election will vote in the run-off and not the 12 – 14% seen in previous elections.
Roy You hold tight, Your going to pick-up every one of Jennifer’s Votes in the run-off, and half of Jims. Hang in there, Your our next Commissioner.
Absolutely! That eleventh-hour smiley-faced gaming of districts was inexcusable. I’m your commissioner – oh wait no, I’m not your commissioner ’cause the competion looks too tough over here, let me slip over there where it looks easier. Ooops, it wasn’t as easy as I calculated. Go Roy!
Andy, always the sore loser. Why doesn’t Pat pull out of the election? She’s usually just an obstruction to any forward movement in this city because of her ridiculous views on city finances. I’m not sure she can get over the loss of her pal Joe Gerrity and work well with a new city manager. I agree with Steve. Roy Smith will win in the runoff. He’s the best qualified for the position and without a stacked deck should win easily.
Dave,
Mixed bag.Some examples:Pelican(47) vs. Elwell(26) in general.Run off,Pelican landslide;Curtin vs.Miller,about 40 votes separation in general,very close,runoff warranted,Miller win. Corbett(1) vs. Poynter(2) in general.Fairly small point spread.Run off reversed order,Poynter win.
I think in all cases,run off turn out was less than the general.
In any event,it’s good to see people are reading the comments.
I guess the $64,000 question to you Andy is would you have made the same suggestion if the tables were turned and Pat finished in second place by the same margin?
Yes, I suspect run-off turn out will be significantly lower unless the voters heed the advice of the departed Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to “vote early and vote often”!
Dave,
Probably,in order to save taxpayer dollars.My contention is a close race certainly justifies a run off,whereas a 15 point spread is not likely to change the outcome.
Time will tell I guess. In a 4 candidate race where the vote total for the two candidates eliminated almost matched the total of the 1st place candidate, the final outcome can easily change depending upon the political philosophy/positions of the eliminated candidates compared to the remaining candidates. If not much difference, a split is likely and the result won’t change; but if there is an alignment to one of the remaining candidates (further emphasized through an endorsement) the run-off result can either be a reversal, blow-out or nip and tuck. I guess we will have to wait until the evening of Dec. 8 to find out.