BACKGROUND
The inspiration for this Joker was a 17th century card deck drawn in a style called the English Pattern. While many Jokers depict only a head, the one in this deck bears more resemblance to the royalty cards in the deck—the Jack, Queen, King and Ace of Spades. The vintage Joker was holding a card with a heart on it, maybe symbolizing a change of heart? Ours holds the "chad," signifying your vote for change—or not for change.

PREMISE OF THE SUIT
Jokers are change agents in a deck of cards. They are often called wild cards, and can be used negatively or positively. In tarot card decks, they signify a reversal in your fortune. In this deck they represent your votes. In Florida's counting of the votes cast in the 2000 Presidential election, the "hanging chad" became notorious and many states have purchased electronic voting machines hoping to preclude similar problems occurring in their states. There is much discussion about whether these machines will accurately tally and keep a record of the votes cast. With all indications currently suggesting the 2004 Presidential race will be neck-in-neck, your votes—and the accuracy of the count—are where the real power lies.

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