At 103, Cliff Sneider Is Darned If He's Going To Let Someone Else Determine The Election For Him [With Poll]

Clifford Sneider of North Madison isn't particularly pleased with some of the candidates he's had to choose from lately. As a matter of fact, if you ask him about them, you'll get a steady stream of expletives, including "Marxists! Socialists! Communists!"

Still, at 103--albeit a spry, youthful 103--he wasn't about to stay at home Tuesday and let someone else determine the primary election without him. So, with his son, Clifford Sneider Jr, 70, he headed out to the polls to cast his vote to help determine who will appear on the ballot in November's general election. The primary elections on Tuesday allowed candidates who lost during the state conventions earlier this year to put the choice directly to voters.Those who win will appear on the ballot in November's general election.

Republicans had a choice of candidates for U.S. Senate and the Second U.S. Congressional District. Democrats had a choice of candidates in the U.S. Senate race. [See below for additional details on who won Tuesday].

"They should be examined first!"

"I wish people who were going into government had to be examined first!" Cliff Sneider Sr. said Tuesday. "People going into other professions have to pass examinations! Why not politicians?!"

Clifford Sneider Jr. said he shared his father's distaste for many politicians currently on ballot. As a registered independent, he chose not to participate in the primary elections on Tuesday. Only those who are registered Republicans or Democrats were allowed to vote in Tuesday's primaries. But Clifford Sneider Jr. said nothing will keep him away from the polls in November during the general election.

"Marxists, socialists, communists," he said. "And then they force it on you with taxes."

"A bunch of crooks"

His father agreed, after casting his ballot and walking out of Brown School Tuesday back to their pickup truck, the back of which was festooned with stickers and symbols. "The IRS is a bunch of crooks. They use taxes as a lever to get what they want." After stopping for a friendly chat with the poll workers, Clifford Sneider Sr. said they had to go because he had work to do at home.

While the Sneiders were the most outspoken of those outside the polls Tuesday, other voters were equally vehement about the need for people to participate in all elections, even primary elections, which traditionally have a low turnout in town.

"It's important to vote all the time," said Jack Smith, who was at the polls with his wife Vera Smith. He seemed surprised that we even asked why he thought it was important to vote. For some people, it's just obvious.

"I don't want to hear you [complaining] in November"

Another couple, driving away in a little sports car, agreed. "If you don't vote in the primaries, I don't want to hear you [complaining] about who's on the ballot in November," said the man who was driving, who asked that his name not be used.

Robert And Suzanne Risley not only consider it their obligation to vote, they also volunteer at the polls as moderators and machine tenders.

Married for 44 years as of last week, working together at the polls is just one of the many activities they enjoy together, along with golfing together, skiing together, and socializing together.

"There is no usual"

While the turnout at Brown Middle School, the polling place for the north end of town, seemed low Tuesday, the counter on the voting machine was ticking up to a little over 314 ballots cast by early Tuesday afternoon, higher than some had guessed it would be earlier that day.

Robert Risley said that, even with all of the years he and his wife had worked at the polls, he would not venture to guess what the final turnout would be for the town Tuesday.

"There is no usual," he said, with a smile. And then he excused himself to go help another voter cast their ballot.

Editor's note: To find out who won Tuesday in Madison, and statewide,