Sad... wrote on Jun 14, 2006 5:41 AM:The saddest part about these people who write-in fictitous candidate names is that we most certainly can assume that the rest of their votes on the ballot were not taken seriously. If they are not going to become informed and make an informed vote, they might as well be considered part of the population that doesn't vote at all. And... that whole population should just exit the country. People die for the opportunity to vote! These folks should be ashamed.

Behind the Thought wrote on Jun 14, 2006 6:32 AM:I was one who voted for Mickey Mouse. My thoughts behind the write in is that Mickey Mouse, a fictitous cartoon character would be a better candidate that who I was offered to vote for. I'm fed up with the Tweedle Dees and Tweedle Dumbs that run this state. Its a way of telling the person running for office that I don't have any confidence in them.

Sadder wrote on Jun 14, 2006 9:02 AM:Dear Sad, You don't get the point. Like Ms. Martine, Chief Deputy at the Registrar of Voters, said write-in votes are often "a protest against those on the ballot". Sad, you don't see the bigger picture. Those who write-in votes are VERY informed and they are motivated to vote, but don't want to support a poor quality candidate simply because they don't have a better selection of high quality candidates. So, they make INFORMED decisions on other candidates but choose to "pass" on a loser, so they write-in. It's sad, Sad, that you're so narrow minded.

hmm wrote on Jun 14, 2006 11:49 AM:To Behind the Thought, a vote for Mickey Mouse might make you feel like you are sending the candidates a message but truthfully writing in a fictitious character is as good as a no vote. You just wasted paper. If you are truly tired of the candidates, then I encourage you to run for office or to find someone who you do have confidence in and get them to run. Getting actively involved in the political process is the only way to send a clear message. Voting for fake candidates or not voting at all, does nothing but keep the same “Tweedle Dees and Tweedle Dumbs” in office.

The Dude wrote on Jun 14, 2006 1:08 PM:John Hall is awesome.

Bosco wrote on Jun 14, 2006 1:51 PM:Here's an idea - let's up this political gamesmanship and write-in candidates for cartoon characters. A couple of local candidates for state and federal offices have positions that seem right out of a Looney Toons cartoon. Laurel Nicholson (66th Assembly) and Jeeni Criscenzo (49th House) are two bizarre characters with some strange ideas. Demokrat Nicholson will just follow the rest of the socialist lemmings who have our state capitol in a stranglehold. Demokrat Criscenzo is a left-wing nut who enjoys the company of Cindy "Jihad" Sheehan and who spouts off bizarre conspiracy theories about Republicans and the rapture. Jihad Jeeni even went so far as to say the following: "I challenge anyone to prove that the people of Iraq are better off today than they were (under Saddam). Back then, more Iraqi people were gainfully employed and had electricity and clean water. Unless they'd ticked off Saddam or his progeny, most Iraqi's (sic) could walk outside their homes without fear of being kidnapped or shot. Their museums still held exquisite artifacts from the beginning of civilization. Their children were going to school and Iraqi women enjoyed one of the most liberated societies in the Arab world." Yup. These candidates are prime material for their very own bizarro world cartoon show.

Mickey Mouse is da man! wrote on Jun 14, 2006 5:21 PM:Haha. I also voted for Mickey Mouse in one race. If I don't like either choice, it's either that or leave it blank. And to Sad: I take my other votes very seriously, so stop being sad.

Meee too wrote on Jun 14, 2006 10:42 PM:Yes, I'm a very informed voter. There were some places on the republican ballot that only had one selection... ie, Issa. No thanks. Issa, Haynes, Hallingsworth and Jefferies all apear to support the Nation's largest massive gravel pit to be located in S. Temecula where the wind never stops blowing and will blow that silica all around and obviously straight into our valley/neighborhoods, posing serious health concerns to our lungs and depreciating property values along with that yuck haze of smog. (Silica causes lung disease). Thousands of trucks in and out of that pit EVERY DAY, 20 hours a day, 6 days a week. Nope, I figured the old lady who lives across the street has better sense in her brain than to support such a nuisance and destroy our communities. I'm informed. I'd rather have a no-vote for those guys, and write in "Granny" instead. I am pretty sure those of us who listed Mickey Mouse on the ballot are all too informed, sadly. Write the Board of Supervisors --- ie, Bob Buster, etc., and tell them NO GRAVEL PIT IN TEMECULA!!!