# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 458
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9143 "2025-11-06T13:12:45Z")
My state doesn’t send sample ballots out either; but if you go to the county board of elections website you can get them there. Or probably if you go in person, I haven’t tried. They often used to be printed in the paper, but now the local papers just run a list of candidates and propositions; but since that includes a number of voting districts which have different candidates it doesn’t look much like the ballot. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9144 "2025-11-06T13:14:20Z")
Vanilla has less egg yolk than French vanilla. Some ice cream has no egg yolk, including some of my favorites. Some has a custard base with a lot of egg yolk. If there’s enough egg yolk that it’s a flavor element, it’s French vanilla. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9145 "2025-11-06T13:15:39Z")
Thanks. I’ll try 'em both as soon as I can (same brand, if possible). (Can’t today – routine colonoscopy. I know, TMI…) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9146 "2025-11-06T13:53:08Z")
Moose tracks for me. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9147 "2025-11-06T14:24:07Z")
I find the lack of spumoni disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9148 "2025-11-06T14:48:33Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I get election info from lots of sources, including what the candidates mail me. I assume any candidate’s own website is a propaganda piece; they take credit for any & everything. No, Mr. Supervisor, you were _not_ responsible for nice weather on Town Day, which just happens to be the same Saturday every year (IOW, scheduled _far_ in advance of any forecast coming out). 🙄 _Mail_ does come into it. The more mail those degenerate dirtbags make me lug from the mailbox directly to my recycle bin the _less_ likely I am to vote for them. Illegal lawn signs (like on public highways) count _double_ against them. If you’re going to break the laws (littering, trespassing) trying to get _in_ to office; how many more (corruption, bribery) are you going to break once you’re there? I go to my county’s website to find sample ballots. We elect _everyone_ around here. The only reason we don’t elect a dog catcher is because the county doesn’t _have_ a dog catcher. However, all of the other county row offices are elected positions. Is there really a R or D (or G or L) way to record a deed, file a will, conduct an autopsy, etc.? Yes, we really do elect our coroner! ETA - For the mail & lawn signs I'm mainly talking about the lower offices that don't have much impact - county row offices & lower court judges (who can't talk a lot about their beliefs anyway) not for more important offices on the ballot. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9149 "2025-11-06T14:52:45Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Moose tracks for me. My two favorites - Great Value Fudge Tracks Hudsonville Deer Traxx ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9150 "2025-11-06T15:09:28Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I assume any candidate’s own website is a propaganda piece; Yes, of course; but what specifically they choose to brag about, and in what phrasing, can be useful information. > [@Spiderman](#): > > Illegal lawn signs (like on public highways) count _double_ against them. If Here, at least, most of the signs are given out to anyone who asks, not set out by the candidate. So if a sign’s in the wrong place, it may not be the candidate’s fault. — we do vote for the coroner here. But the animal control officer is appointed. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9151 "2025-11-06T15:14:28Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Here, at least, most of the signs are given out to anyone who asks, not set out by the candidate. So if a sign’s in the wrong place, it may not be the candidate’s fault. I’m guessing I could go & get a bunch from a given candidate, but I’m talking about when you see 20 or 30 for a given candidate on an expressway on-ramp, or in the median of a road. That land is owned by some government entity &, as such, can’t endorse any candidate, or even all of them - I love when you get signs for both parties right next to each other. Because no one will charge them they do it with impunity. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9152 "2025-11-06T15:22:37Z")
Ah. My county doesn’t have roads like that. I do see a batch along the state route sometimes, but I’m pretty sure they’re put there by somebody who lives nearby. They’re often not about a local candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9153 "2025-11-06T15:41:03Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > That land is owned by some government entity &, as such, can’t endorse any candidate, or even all of them - I love when you get signs for both parties right next to each other. It’s probably considered a public forum for campaign signs, and is thus allowed, as long as the government doesn’t try to ban a particular viewpoint. Perhaps they could be prohibited, but I don’t know if they are in most places. They certainly can be regulated. Here’s a summary of our local rule: > A small taste of the rules for political signs: > > “1. A political sign is allowed in Kitsap County right-of-way; provided, that a sign: > > “a. Using metal faces, metal supports, metal frames, or wire frames is prohibited; > > “b. Is limited to a size no greater than four square feet and may not extend higher than forty inches measured from the point in which it is placed in the ground to the top of the sign.” [Road Warrior: Rules governing roadside signs in Kitsap County](https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/2018/11/29/road-warrior-rules-governing-roadside-signs-kitsap-county/2151581002/) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9154 "2025-11-06T15:45:30Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Our animal control office is appointed annually, not elected. Ours is elected, but it’s Florida so the animal being controlled is mosquitos. In the past I’ve used [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page) to research candidates and referenda as it not only gives some context, it also tells you who else supports or opposes key measures (which is often a better measure of how one may wish to vote). Also: I have never heard of Superman ice cream before, but it looks questionable from the pictures I’ve just googled. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9155 "2025-11-06T15:56:11Z")
Campaign signs, and other political signs, on public land are generally legal here, too, so long as they abide by reasonable restrictions, like the ones listed above. Unless the sign says something objectionable, i never hold yard signs against a candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9156 "2025-11-06T15:58:22Z")
yeah, far & away, most signs are on owner-not-present\* properties; which typically means the candidate (or their minions) placed them on the ‘all-publicity-is-good-publicity’ theory or you’ll vote for them if you recognize their name. -\* DOT property, that empty former gas station, the utility company right-of-way, a strip mall with signs for opposing candidates at their entrance/exit or a big office building, yanno, properties with multiple tenants, who presumably have differing political beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9157 "2025-11-06T16:04:57Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Also: I have never heard of Superman ice cream before, but it looks questionable from the pictures I’ve just googled. Same here. It seems it’s a mixture of several flavors that I’m not interested in. Googling “Blue Moon” ice cream tells me that the flavor is, um, blue. I looked at the poll two different ways. I voted as if I can only _buy_ three flavors. That means I buy a lot of vanilla and doctor it to whatever I feel like at any given time. Just last night I had delicious rich chocolate ice cream by dusting cocoa powder over each of several layers of ice cream, mixed it thoroughly, put in the freezer for about ten minutes, and presto! perfect dark chocolate ice cream. I do the same with espresso crystals to make coffee flavor, and chopped/mashed mango, peaches, strawberries, etc for lots of variety. I also voted for butter-pecan and pistachio because they are not as easy to whip up quickly 🙂 If the poll means that I am limited to _eating_ only three flavors I gueass I would pick chocolate, coffee, and butter pecan. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9158 "2025-11-06T16:31:01Z")
https://www.youtube.com/embed/beTsDOBRs8I?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=RDbeTsDOBRs8I ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9159 "2025-11-06T16:42:50Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Yes, of course; but what specifically they choose to brag about, and in what phrasing, can be useful information. Indeed. Even (or maybe especially) in supposedly non-partisan races, I can usually tell which way a candidate leans based on what specific talking points they choose to include on their website. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9160 "2025-11-06T17:35:16Z")
Absolutely. I once called a candidate’s office and asked what their position was on the death penalty, and the only thing their minion would talk to me about was their position on preventing non-citizens from getting the resident discount at state colleges. He even asked me why i cared about the death penalty, and wasn’t it more important to keep non-citizens from unfairly getting a discount. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9161 "2025-11-06T19:53:35Z")
Peanut butter, vanilla (GOOD vanilla) and peppermint ice cream. But not mixed together, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9162 "2025-11-07T00:38:31Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > What’s the difference between “vanilla” and “French vanilla” (in ice cream)? French vanilla costs a bit more, but it’s worth it. At least, that’s what I remember the sign saying when I used to go to Baskin-Robbins as a child. I used to wonder what was so better about it. But not enough to ever actually try it. With 31 flavors to choose from, why would I pick something as bland and boring as vanilla, even if it was _better_ bland and boring? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=457) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=459)