In a week, Illinoisans will have the opportunity to help determine the future of our state in the November 3 General Election. I encourage every eligible voter to take that responsibility seriously and make a plan to participate.
You do not have to wait until Election Day to make your voice heard. Early voting is already underway in Illinois and continues through November 2. Locations and hours vary, so check with your local election authority before heading out.
However you choose to cast your ballot, the important thing is that you take part.
We have all heard about the importance of voting since we were children. But the right to choose who governs us deserves more than a passing mention during election season. It is one of the fundamental freedoms that allows us to hold government accountable and have a say in the decisions affecting our lives.
Government does not operate in some distant world disconnected from the people it serves. Its decisions show up in your property tax bill, your family’s budget, the roads you commute on and the opportunities available in your community. They affect the education your children receive and the public safety services your neighborhood depends on.
The people elected to public office make decisions that carry consequences long after the campaign signs come down. Voting is your opportunity to help decide who will exercise that responsibility on your behalf.
Yet too many people sit out elections, particularly when the presidency is not on the ballot.
In Illinois’ 2022 General Election, the last general election without a presidential contest, approximately 51 percent of the state’s more than 8 million registered voters cast ballots. That means nearly half of registered voters did not cast a ballot. That figure does not even account for eligible citizens who were not registered.
We should want more of our neighbors involved in shaping the future of our communities. A representative government depends on an active citizenry willing to participate and hold elected officials accountable.
I understand why some people become frustrated with politics. The constant campaign advertising and arguing can make it tempting to tune everything out. Others wonder whether their individual vote can make a difference.
But sitting out does not stop government from making decisions. It simply leaves those decisions in the hands of the people who do participate. Your concerns deserve to be part of that conversation.
Being an engaged voter also means taking time to understand the choices before you. Look beyond campaign slogans. Examine candidates’ records and their positions on the issues that matter to you. Review a sample ballot through your local election authority so you know what to expect before you vote.
Making a plan now can help prevent a busy workday or an unexpected obligation from getting in the way.
The Illinois State Board of Elections website is a useful place to start. It provides resources to check your registration, find your polling place and locate early voting sites. You can also find information about voting by mail and contact information for your local election authority.
If you missed the online registration deadline, do not assume you have missed your opportunity to participate. Illinois offers grace-period registration through Election Day at designated locations. Contact your local election authority to confirm where to go and what identification you need to bring.
For those voting on November 3, Election Day polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Confirm your voting location ahead of time and decide when you will go.
Our communities are stronger when more people take an active role in their government. Whatever your political views, I encourage you to study your ballot and make a plan to vote.
Illinois’ future deserves your attention. Make sure your voice is part of it.
