I have been encouraging people to run for Precinct Committeeman for nine days now.

It’s an important position in the political arena.

People who casually watch national politics think campaigning is by TV.

In my experience, the higher the political office, the less influence one can have on how your neighbor’s vote.

Most who observed the last Republican Party Primary Election for McHenry County Sheriff believe that work by Precinct Committeemen is the reason that Bill Prim won.

Those who supported Prim believe he is systematically cleaning up the Sheriff’s Office and saving big bucks while doing so.

Join the campaign for more honest, more economical local government by running for Precinct Committeeman.

Deadline for filing petitions is 5 PM Monday.

You can get the necessary signatures today and get the paperwork notarized tomorrow before taking them or having someone take them to the County Clerk’s Office tomorrow.

It takes a minimum of ten signatures to get on the ballot, however, I recommend getting twice that number just to make sure there are ten “good,” that is, register voter, signers.  Be sure to number the petitions are the bottom and put them in consecutive order.

Petitions may be found on the McHenry County Clerk’s web site here.

Before filing one’s petition, one needs to fill out a Statement of Candidacy, which can be found here.

One needs to sign both the petition and the Statement of Candidacy in front of a notary public.  They can be found at local banks, real estate and lawyer’s offices

Staple all three sheets of paper together with the Statement of Candidacy on top.  Do not use paper clips, because people have gotten kicked off the ballot for not having the petitions and statement securing attached to one another.

Then, take your petition packet to the County Clerk’s Office.  (It could be mailed, but it has to arrive by Monday at 5 PM when the Clerk’s Office closes.)

As a Precinct Committeeman, you can have an impact on your community.

Most Committeeman distribute letters recommending their favorite candidates.

I do so every election.  (There are four every two years, although in 2017, there may be a fourth if you live in a larger township where there is a primary election for township office.)

Precinct Committeemen also select party leaders.  There is a County Convention for each party at which officers are elected.

At the Republican Convention last time, for the first time since at least 1958, a chairman, Sandra Salgado, was elected who was not part of what might be called the “Old Guard” or the “Establishment.”

Both the newcomers and the faction that controlled the County GOP since at least the 1950’s are assiduously recruiting people to run for Precinct Committeeman.

If you believe the seat of power resides in the Party organizations, as I do, I encourage you to run for this bottom of the pyramid office.