Voters go to the polls Tuesday to select a Republican nominee for governor while Democrats measure their support for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, all against the backdrop of a former governor whose fate is being deliberated by a federal jury.
Writing another chapter to the region’s already healthy election lore, Democratic voters in Cook County also will decide the nomination for County Board president between a hospitalized John Stroger, who faces an uncertain future after suffering a stroke last week, and reform-themed candidate Forrest Claypool.
Across the state, voters will choose nominees for congressional, legislative and county offices as well as decide on various referendum proposals.
Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about Tuesday’s primary.
How do I find my polling place?
If you live in Chicago, go to www.chicagoelections.com and click on “Online Service.” That will direct you to a “Where do I go to vote” link, and then to a page that asks you to enter your address, then tells you where to vote. Also, if you received a brochure in the mail from the city’s Board of Elections in the last several weeks, that lists your polling place address. You can also call the Board of Elections at 312-269-7900.
What times are the polls open?
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you have a complaint or a problem with voting Tuesday, call 312-269-7870.
What’s with the early voting?
For the first time this year, state law allowed people to cast ballots early without requiring an excuse or reason. The voting took place in 21 locations for 18 days Feb. 27 through March 16, and 14,437 people voted early, said Tom Leach, spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. People who voted early cannot vote again Tuesday.
What are the primaries for?
Their function is to narrow the field of candidates for each elected office to one nominee from each party for the Nov. 7 general election.
How does the primary work?
Voters do not register by party in Illinois. So for primary elections, a worker at the polls will ask you to declare a party affiliation. Depending on whether you say Democrat or Republican, you will be given that party’s ballot.
You cannot vote for both parties in one primary election. You can, however, vote for a different party in the next primary.
Who is eligible to vote?
In Illinois, you must have registered to vote 28 days before an election to be eligible to vote. Anyone who is 18 and a U.S. citizen is eligible to register in Chicago, Leach said.
You can check the status of your registration at www.chicagoelections.com.
You do not need to bring identification to vote, but the elections board recommends bringing identification with your home address in case there is a problem with locating you on the voter rolls.
If you have registered but the polling place does not have your record, you can vote with a provisional ballot that will be counted within 14 days, after your registration is verified.
I just moved. Where do I vote?
If you moved within 30 days of the election, you can go back to your old polling place and vote. If you moved more than 30 days ago but have not re-registered or changed your address with the Board of Election Commissioners, you cannot vote, Leach said.
— If you did change your address with the board, but your polling place does not have you on record, you can vote with a provisional ballot.
Which races are contested in this primary?
Several federal, state and county races are contested, including nominees for governor for both the Democratic and Republican parties, lieutenant governor for Republicans, state treasurer for Democrats, Cook County board president for Democrats, several U.S. representatives, state senators and representatives, and county offices including sheriff and judgeships.
Many offices are uncontested, with only one candidate running. That candidate will still be listed on the ballot.
No city offices are on this ballot, Leach said.
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Candidates make final pitch to be governor
With the clock winding down to Tuesday’s primary election, the Tribune offered the six major candidates running for governor an opportunity to explain why voters should cast a ballot for them.
DEMOCRATS
ROD BLAGOJEVICH
Blagojevich said voters should support him because he steered Illinois through difficult fiscal waters and focused on people’s health care, including introducing a plan to offer health insurance for every child in the state.
Citing what he called 26 years of “neglect by Republican governors,” Blagojevich said he raised high school graduation standards, helped bring crime down and reduced the size of state government without raising income or sales taxes.
“But there is more to do,” Blagojevich said. “That’s why I want to offer preschool to every child, provide a $1,000 college tuition tax credit, and pass a jobs bill that would build new roads and schools and create 230,000 jobs.”
EDWIN EISENDRATH
Eisendrath said Blagojevich has failed citizens across the state.
He said that while talking to voters on the campaign trail he has learned that three issues matter most to voters: education, growing the economy and cleaning up government.
“So much is at stake. Illinois is the nation’s fifth most populous state, but we are 50th in state support of education, 49th in support of colleges and 35th in economic growth,” Eisendrath said.
“We are losing our economic base to Indiana and to Iowa. Meanwhile, the governor has been fundraising.”
REPUBLICANS
JUDY BAAR TOPINKA
Topinka said a key reason she should be chosen as the Republican nominee over three major rivals is that she can defeat Blagojevich in the November general election.
She said Blagojevich’s administration has been the focus of several ongoing federal investigations, undermining Blagojevich’s vow to end corruption in Springfield.
“Serious scandals have erupted because Mr. Blagojevich has ignored his promise to end business as usual and turned a blind eye as millions of dollars in state contracts have gone to political friends and contributors,” said Topinka, the state’s treasurer. “This will stop when I am governor.”
JIM OBERWEIS
The conservative Aurora businessman, who has criticized Topinka for accepting campaign contributions from firms that do business with the treasurer’s office, said Republican voters should elect him because of his promise to end corruption in state government.
“In my lifetime, four former Illinois governors have been indicted or served time in prison,” Oberweis said, vowing not to accept campaign contributions from companies that do business with the state.
“I can help break this cycle of cash going from companies to politicians and back to companies in the form of lucrative state contracts.”
BILL BRADY
The conservative state senator from Bloomington said he is the only candidate who has held steadfast to the GOP’s platform and values.
A developer, Brady said his experience in the General Assembly gives him a leg up over candidates.
“My 25 years of business experience and leadership as a state senator give me the experience and talent to lead Illinois to a brighter future,” Brady said.
“I don’t waver on principles, and I won’t waver in my commitment to fight for the people of Illinois.”
RON GIDWITZ
The Chicago businessman said he’s the “fresh face” that Illinois politics needs.
He said Republican voters want a leader who will end pay-to-play politics in government and has the political independence to make difficult decisions and restore credibility to the state’s chief executive office.
“Illinois needs someone who has experience running large public and private organizations,” said Gidwitz, the former chief executive officer of Helene Curtis and the former head of the State Board of Education. “And Illinois needs a leader who has a plan to balance our budget, create jobs and reform our education system.”
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The voting machines you’ll see Tuesday
Most voters in Chicago and suburban Cook County will use optical scanners when they go to the polls Tuesday. Those who are blind, disabled or unable to read English or Spanish will use touch-screen machines.
OPTICAL-SCAN MACHINEVoters fill in the circle next to their choice on a ballot, which they feed into the optical-scan machine. The machine reads the darkest marks on the ballot as votes.
TOUCH-SCREEN MACHINE
Voters make their choice by touching a display of candidates on the screen. A paper record is printed out on the side of the machine to back up the vote count. An audio feature is available for the blind.
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POLL POSITION
Do you plan to vote on Tuesday?
Yes: 74.2%
No: 20.4%
I voted early: 5.4%
[ 941 votes were cast cast in this unscientific poll on chicagotribune.com ]
