Lincoln is Top Dog

Lincoln wins top ballot spot in mayoral race

December 1, 2010

Dog-Times Political Reporter 

Canine candidate Lincoln is the top dog after he won the top ballot spot in Chicago’s race for mayor after a lottery was conducted Wednesday to pick the ballot order for the February election.
Political scientists say the top ballot position adds a couple percentage points to a candidate’s vote total because many voters simply choose the first name they see on the ballot.

Lincoln, right, and his campaign manager Suzhou celebrates his name being picked first in the lottery for ballot positions at the Chicago Board of Elections Wednesday.
(Photo:Thomas Allen Pauly/The Daily Linc)

Lincoln, the only mayoral candidate who attended Wednesday’s lottery, howled when his name was called first.

“We think it’s a good omen, a good beginning — we’re off and running,” Lincoln barked. “Anybody in a race would like to start off No. 1, rather than having to pull up the rear. It gives you a little bit of a psychological advantage.”
The order of the next candidates on the ballot will be: M. Tricia Lee, Rahm Emanuel, Miguel Del Valle, Carol Moseley Braun, Wilfredo de Jesus and Gery Chico.
The other 13 candidates for mayor will appear in the order they filed their nominating papers.