Ballotpedia

Another Wiki mob-rule monument?
I find it useful.

List of Candidates, Issues, and Funds

One week ago the Illinois Board of Elections decided who would be on the Nov 2 ballot.
Here is a link to a summary of the big races on the ballot along with links for each campaign on what the big issues are and where the campaign funds are coming from. It's a good tool for your classroom when discussing the upcoming election.

via WBEZ, The Election File

Fundraising Caps Doubled in Senate Race

Lynn Sweet has a lot of information in her blog about local fundraisers with many many big names coming to our state to raise funds for our high profile elections.  Interesting note about why ticket prices are so high to many of the senate race events,
"That Nov. 2 special election for Senate in Illinois--to fill the few weeks that will be left to President Obama's term, in addition to a vote for the full six year term also on Nov. 2-means that Giannoulias, the state treasurer and GOP rival Rep. Mark Kirk (D-Ill.) can fund-raise for both contests at the same time"

via Lynn Sweet "Chicago Sun-Times"

GetOutCampaigning- GOC Good Idea #1, Scavenger Hunt

We all know that sometimes it takes some creative ideas to get students to visit a campaign office for the first time. We try to provide students will all the information they need to take that first step; the address, phone number, and most importantly, a contact name or two. Also, we always remind them to tell the volunteer coordinator that "Mikva Challenge sent me". All of these things help.  But one of the best GOC Good Ideas came from Carrie Kelso at Morgan Park High School.  Carrie sends her students out on 'scavenger hunts'. She encourages her class to collect unique campaign paraphernalia from each office...you know, bumper stickers, signage, pencils. These items are displayed in her classroom and often there is some sort of reward for the most diverse (showing they went to many different offices) collection. Sometimes it's that little sense of competition that gets the students motivated. I wonder what type of reward this ginormous sign would get....

Campaign Office Vist - Robert Dold, 10th Congressional District

Yesterday I had a great visit with the Robert Dold campaign in Winnetka. They are a young, energized campaign with a couple of  fun ideas for working off the stress of campaign work...a ping pong table AND cupcakes! Seriously, these are a bunch of hardworking people and I think any high school student would have a great experience spending some time working at this office. The office is not hard to find, with great signage outside and inside they have fabulous blown-up photos covering the walls. I even recognized some of our Mikva students from last fall! This office is open 7 days a week from now until the election. If you have any questions, please contact Phillipe Melin pmelin@doldforcongress.com or Mick Paskiewicz at michael@robertdoldforcongress.com and tell them Mika Challenge sent you. The address is 511 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka. Office phone # is 847-251-3653 and the website is www.doldforcongress.com.

Working out a Little Stress at the Ping Pong Table

Amazing Dold Cupcakes. Yum.

Front of Dold Headquarters in Winnetka

Giannoulias and Kirk on "Meet the Press" Oct 10th

Mark Kirk and Alexi Giannoulias are going to have a senate debate  on NBC's "Meet the Press".  Nationwide coverage on your local election. Rah Rah

via Chicago Tribune Clout Street

2010-2011 Election Season Begins for Mikva Challenge

We are so excited to be back here posting news, updates, events, and photos of the upcoming 2010-2011 election season. Here in Chicagoland we have oh so many exciting local and state-wide elections to get involved with. Our gubernatorial and senate elections are already full of intrigue and controversy and the 10th district congressional race has garnered nation-wide attention. Add to that the state-wide office races and you have more than enough to hold your interest. I'm going to post a few pictures of last year's events to remind all of you of the great spirit that students bring to politics.

Waukegan students worked on the Dan Seals Campaign

Students attended the Lake County Republican Annual Event
 and heard Gov. Pawlenty give the Keynote address.

Elgin Students Phone Banking in  Ethan Hastert's 14th District Office