Guest blogger Harish Patel is a strategic thinker, organizer, and activist working on issues locally and globally.

I have been looking at this “loss” as a phenomenal opportunity to build for a vibrant, livable, healthy, educated, just, peaceful, and fair city.

Two thoughts have lingered in my head in the past few days:

• Change is slow and will not come from either the inside or the outside alone, but from the merger of the two.
• The Left needs to put just as much thought into unifying our own forces as we put into opposing/defeating the Right or the Tea Party.

I have never, before this moment of Daley’s resignation, involved myself in electoral politics. It was a deliberate decision that I made, hoping for a progressive change. I still stand by my belief that a public servant who is grounded in movement building and neighborhoods must be supported by progressive forces. In the past 5 months, I worked at and attended a lot of meetings and supported various new entities such as Chicago Votes, New Chicago 2011, Chicago A.D. (After Daley), Mayoral Tutorial, Progressive Alliance – Cook County and others. I supported various aldermanic candidates and a couple mayoral candidates. This has all been an amazing learning moment for me.

After hearing that Rahm won, I felt surprisingly rejuvenated, ready to work harder, and to put forth a smarter struggle. This election created an amazing educational opportunity for a lot of young folks–on the community, ward, and city levels. These young people are more connected and more inspired than ever before. These young people have more intergenerational opportunities than those before them had. These young people are watching revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and other places for democracy and are inspired. These young people are sick of waiting to get older to become engaged. These young people are gaining tools, building organizations, and learning tangible skills to run for election themselves on local and statewide levels.

All these aspects of the past 5 months make me happy, energized, and most importantly, hopeful for the Rahm Era.

Here are some more wins that make me hopeful:

• There is an immense desire, especially among young folks, to be involved.
• We are getting involved at a younger age. Ameya Pawar (age: 30) in the 47^th Ward. Hip Hop Generation is picking up steam, growing up, and getting involved. Example: Che Rhymefest Smith, Brian Sleet, Hector Gonzalez. Younger doesn’t always mean progressive, but in this case, it does.
• Younger people vote based on issues and not based on race or neighborhoods.
• Race Matters, but not as much in electoral politics as it used to. (Chicago’s racial demographics are changing.)
• There are various new networks, entities, organizations, progressive PACs, and c4 advocacy groups. Example: New Chicago 2011 Coalition.
• 14 runoffs in this election. Let’s especially keep an eye out for progressive forces in the 15^th (Foulkes), 20^th (Che Rhymefest), 25^th (Morfin), 45^th (Arena), and 50^th (against Stone) Wards.
• 12 aldermen retired.
• The power is split into Burke/Chico Collective, Rahm and the “reformers,” Daley and the Democratic Machine, and Del Valle and the Progressives. Possible campaign for progressive electoral campaign, post-Del-Valle camp?
• The forces around the Sweet Home Chicago ordinance, TIF reform, Clean Air Ordinance, and maybe electoral finance reform are getting stronger.

Let’s get to work. Let’s go back to our neighborhoods. Let’s get back to the movement. Let’s set up accountability structures. Let’s share our thoughts. Let’s celebrate.

“TO BE HOPEFUL in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.

What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.

And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”

— Howard Zinn

In solidarity and with a big hopeful smile,

Harish I. Patel

Reference Articles/Websites:

• Colorlines: Change Doesn’t Come from Inside or Outside Pressure–It’s Both
• Huffington Post: Hip-Hop Grows Up: Rhymefest, Gonzalez, Vargas And Sleet Run For Alderman With Hip-Hop Background
• B is for Blog: Chicago: We’ve Only Just Begun
• Progress Illinois: 2011 Chicago Aldermanic Run Offs Tracker
• Rock the Vote: Chicago: Young Voters Turn Out
• Center Square Journal: Aderman-elect Ameya Pawar: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
• Chicago Reporter: Voters in black wards supported Rahm more than all other candidates combined

• Chicago Votes
• Mayoral Tutorial
• Progressive Alliance – Cook County
• New Chicago 2011

SAPAC is working with the Asian American Institute and a number of community organizations to mobilize Chicago’s entire pan-Asian community to vote in HUGE numbers on February 22. Here’s how you can contribute now:

We need to reach out to at least 1,000 infrequent registered voters in the 50th Ward before Election Day. We’ll be meeting on the following days in 2-hour shifts to do door-to-door canvassing and phone calling in the 50th Ward (we’ll provide you with training, maps, flyers, refreshments, and community service hours):

• Wed., Feb. 9: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave. (corner of Troy and Devon)
• Fri., Feb. 11: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave.

• Sat., Feb. 12:  10:00am – 12:00pm, 12:15pm – 2:15pm, 2:30pm – 4:30pm. Meet at Indo-American Center, 6328 N. California Ave. (corner of California and Devon)
• Wed., Feb. 16: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave.
• Fri., Feb. 18: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave.

• Sat., Feb. 19 and Sun., Feb. 20: 10:00am – 5:00pm. 2-3-hour shifts available. Meet at Indo-American Center. During these 48 hours, we’re going to reconnect with voters who have already heard from us through phone banking and door canvassing to confirm if they have already voted or have plans to vote on Feb. 22.

If you’re interested in volunteering on any of these days and being part of a historic election, please email Aisha Qidwae at aisha.qidwae@gmail.com. If you have any other questions about our voter mobilization work or the election, please email info@sapac.org.

Mark the date in your calendars and support this first-of-its-kind forum. The organizers have been working hard and expect 700-1000 members of our community to show up and you should be one of them!

The South Asian Progressive Action Collective
and community organizations throughout Chicago present the

Guest blogger Sung Yeon Choi-Morrow is the Community Organizer at Asian American Institute. Born in Korea and raised in India, she now enjoys working with various Asian American communities in Chicago.

You want a voice? Vote!

The other day while I was sipping a hot masala tea at a sweet shop on Devon I overheard a conversation about voting. What surprised me was not the content of the conversation but the fact that I still remembered enough Hindi from my childhood in India to understand what they were saying! Unfortunately the content of the conversation was far too familiar.

“Are you voting next week?”

“Oh, it’s election again? No, what’s the point?”

“Yeah, I know, it doesn’t make much of a difference, whether you vote or not.”

“That’s what I mean. Brother, your time is better spent somewhere else.”

Haven’t we all heard this conversation, or even participated in this conversation at some point?

The truth is, it may seem that it doesn’t matter, but it does.  I’d like to introduce to you the “Cockroach Effect” (sorry for the nasty visual here).  When you discover one little cockroach in the cabinet underneath your sink, you probably freak out for a second but then find Raid or a paper towel or something and just kill it. Unless you have an exceptional fear of roaches, you’ll probably forget about the incident and not think much about it.

But let’s say you opened up your cabinet under your kitchen sink and you saw hundreds if not thousands of roaches crawling around! The first thing I’d think is, “Yikes, I should’ve written down that phone number from the Orkin commercial!” And then I’d frantically Google “Orkin” and get a terminator out to my house.

In some ways politics works the same way. Yes, if one Indian American living on Devon decided to vote, no one may notice. Not the elected officials, not the candidates running, not the media, NO ONE. But if ALL the Asian Americans living in the 50^th Ward voted and had a historic turnout for November 2^nd, people would notice.

We need to work to create the Cockroach Effect! We need everyone to vote and get others out to vote.

If Asian Americans want to have a voice, get recognition, and bring resources to our community, we must vote, and get our people out to vote!

Please consider volunteering with the Asian American Institute for this weekend and Election Day in the 50^th Ward to make history by turning out the highest number of Asian American voters for a midterm election!

Please email Brandon@aaichicago.org for more information or call him at 773.271.0899 x200.

Commit to vote!

Tuesday, October 5 is the Illinois deadline to register to vote or update your voter information for the November 2 General Election!

Chicago Voter Registration Info

Suburban Cook County Voter Registration Info (outside Chicago)

Illinois Voter Registration Info (all other areas outside Cook County)

Seats up for grabs in this election include

• Senator
• Representatives
• Governor
• Lt. Governor
• Attorney General
• Secretary of State
• Comptroller
• Treasurer
• State Representatives
• Cook County Board President
• A slew of judges
• And a whole lot more.

It’s an important election, so make sure you’re registered!

If you have any questions about voter registration anywhere in the U.S., please email us at info@sapac.org. We’re happy to help and will respond ASAP.

SAPAC will be sharing more election information in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to our website.

This month’s varied offerings include local and international film screenings, theatre performances, LGBT History Month readings, dance shows, political discussions, art exhibits, and galas, all featuring people of South Asian descent. Plus, we remind you to REGISTER TO VOTE by Oct. 5!

American Association of Retired Asians Gala @ Ashyana Banquets
Friday, October 1 @ 7:00pm

This nonprofit dedicated to the needs of aging South Asian Americans presents its second annual fundraising dinner.

Merchants of Bollywood @ Auditorium Theatre
Friday, October 1 – Saturday, October 2 @ 8:00pm

The “international dance spectacular” comes to the beautiful Auditorium in downtown Chicago.

Chicago South Asian Film Festival @ Chicago Cultural Center & Columbia College
Friday, October 1 – Sunday, October 3

Check out our previous post on the festival for more details.

Falling Petals @ Theatre 773
Saturday, October 2 @ 1:00pm

Erasing the Distance and the Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) present this multimedia theatre performance that shares true stories of people of Asian and Indian descent who have been impacted by mental illness and suicide.

Anila Sinha Foundation @ North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, October 2 @ 7:00pm

The Anila Sinha Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Chicago’s International House, presents “6th Element,” a multimedia Kathak dance performance that addresses the issue of global warming.

Sringara: Love and Devotion @ North Central College
Sunday, October 3 @ 4:00pm

The Samskriti Foundation presents a Bharatanatyam performance by the duo of Shijith Nambar and Parvathy Menon with a live orchestra.

Voter Registration Deadline
Tuesday, October 5

Tuesday, October 5 is the deadline to register to vote or update your voter information for the November 2 General Election!

Chicago Voter Registration Info

Suburban Cook County Voter Registration Info (outside Chicago)

Illinois Voter Registration Info

Seats up for grabs in this election include IL Senator, Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, some Representatives, some State Representatives, Cook County Board President, a slew of judges, and a whole lot more. It’s an important election, so make sure you’re registered!

SAPAC will be sharing more election information in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to our website.

Darpana Performing Group @ Old Town School of Folk Music
Wednesday, October 6 – Thursday, October 7

The Darpana Academy of Performing Arts of Gujarat presents a diverse dance program that uses classical, folk, tribal, and contemporary choreography to celebrate India’s multiculturalism and plurality. The 10-member troupe will also host a workshop as part of the school’s Thursday Workshop Series on October 7.

Yasmin Nair @ Chicago Public Library – Bezazian Branch ADDED 10/7
Saturday, October 9 @ 2:00pm

Against Equality: Queer Critiques of Gay Marriage, published by the Against Equality collective, documents the historical foundations of queer resistance to the gay marriage mainstream alongside contemporary critiques that engage issues of race, class, gender, citizenship, and age. The panel will feature presentations by three of the anthology’s contributors: artist and collective founder Ryan Conrad, historian and UIC professor John D’Emilio, and Yasmin Nair, a local writer and member of Gender JUST.

Natya Dance Theatre @ North Central College
Saturday, October 9 @ 8:00pm

The dancers of Natya perform “Invitation to the Dance” with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, featuring works by Weber, Ravel, and Berlioz.

SAPAC General Meeting @ Chava Cafe ADDED 10/7
Sunday, October 10 @ 1:00pm

Join us for our next general meeting to discuss our 2010 voter outreach campaign, past and upcoming events, and more!

Candidates Forum @ Bombay Hall ADDED 10/7
Sunday, October 10 @ 2:00pm

The American Muslim Task Force on Civil Rights & Elections and Illinois Committee for Honest Government present a Candidates Forum in the West Ridge/Devon neighborhood for the offices of U.S. Senate, Governor, Attorney General, Cook County President, Treasurer, Comptroller, Cook County Sheriff and several others. Bombay Hall is at 2448 W. Devon Ave.

Gurcharan Das @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/7
Tuesday, October 12 @ 6:00pm

The author of India Unbound discusses his newest book, The Difficulty of Being Good, a treatise on the ethical dilemmas presented in the Mahabarata and “how we can come to terms with the uncertain ethics of the world today.”

Sapna Kumar @ Gerber Hart Library
Wednesday, October 13 @ 7:00pm

Indian comic and storyteller (and Friend of SAPAC) Sapna Kumar joins a lineup of writers reading from their works about LGBT people, places, and events in history as part of Gerber Hart’s LGBT History Month celebration.

CA$H Film Screening @ AMC River East 21
Thursday, October 14 @ 5:30pm

Columbia [College Chicago] Night of the Chicago International Film Festival features the film CA$H, starring Sean Bean and produced by Chicago filmmaker Naveen Chathappuram. Filmmakers, cast, and crew are expected to participate in a Q&A session after the screening.

Rex Ghosh @ Borders ADDED 10/15
Friday, October 15 @ 3:00pm

Indian-born author and economist Ghosh signs his new thriller Nineteenth Street NW at the Borders on State St.

Natraj Dance @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/15
Friday, October 15 @ 7:00pm

The Natraj Dance Academy will perform with a live orchestra at U of C’s International House as part of Nobel Laureate Chandrasekhar’s Centennial Program.

Swati Avasthi @ Barbara’s Bookstore ADDED 10/15
Saturday, October 16 @ 7:00pm

Young Adult novelist Avasthi (Split) joins fellow YA author Alexandra Diaz for a YA Authors Night at the UIC branch of Barbara’s.

Shabana Azmi @ North Shore Center for the Performing Arts ADDED 10/15
Sunday, October 17 @ 6:30pm

Shabana Azmi appears in Girish Karnad’s play Broken Images for one night only. What more do I need to say? It’s Shabana Azmi!

Natya Dance Theatre @ Daley Plaza
Tuesday, October 19 @ 12:00pm

Natya performs Bharatanatyam as part of the City of Chicago’s “Under the Picasso” series of free weekday cultural programs.

Imtiaz Gul @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/7
Tuesday, October 19 @ 6:00pm

Gul, Executive Director of the Centre for Research and Security Studies at Islamabad, speaks on the flood disaster in Pakistan.

Coffee Conversations with Pakistani Legislative Fellows @ WorldChicago
Wednesday, October 20 @ 8:00am

World Chicago (formerly the International Visitors Center of Chicago) presents an opportunity to chat with 6 legislative research professionals from Pakistan who will be in Chicago for 3 weeks completing fellowships with federal and state legislative offices while living with Chicago-area families.

From Chicago to Lahore: Connecting Edge @ Chicago Cultural Center
Wednesday, October 20 @ 5:00pm

The Lahore Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International presents this exhibit of drawings, films, photographs, writings, and paintings by artists from Lahore and Chicago. Opening reception at 5:00pm.

World Music for Pakistan Benefit @ Mayne Stage ADDED 10/7
Wednesday, October 20 @ 7:00pm

A benefit for Actual Size Global for Pakistani flood relief, featuring Lamajamal (gypsy surf), Eyes Manouche (Balkan gypsy jazz), Kevin Leeds and Global Cooling (rock/soul/world fusion) & DJ RomaSoul (gypsy/eastern beats).

Sarwat Rumi @ Gerber Hart Library
Thursday, October 21 @ 7:00pm

The library continues its celebration of LGBT History Month with another set of readings from local writers including Friend of SAPAC Sarwat Rumi.

Rochona Majumdar @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/7
Saturday, October 23 @ 2:00pm

The Indian historian speaks about Radical Cinema and the “Film Society” Movement in India for the university’s 32nd annual Humanities Day. Additional South-Asia-related programs that day include a screening of Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali and talks about How Islam Begin; War, Trauma, and Humanism in Literature from Sri Lanka; and Women in Modern South and Southeast Asian Buddhism.

Crossing Cultures feat. Natya Dance @ Harold Washington Library
Saturday, October 23 – Sunday, October 24

In its first annual cross-cultural dance festival, Natya Dance Theatre bridges traditions from not just North and South India, but also the Eastern and Western hemispheres. The festival, which spans the weekend of October 23rd and 24th, brings together a group of diverse and innovative artists including Krithika Rajagopalan, Uma Dogra, DanceWorks Chicago, and Hedwig Dances. Each evening also features a unique collaboration between Mordine & Co. and Natya, to exemplify the bridging of classical and modern dance forms in this festival.

Kavita Ramdas @ Blackstone Hotel
Monday, October 25 @ 12:00pm

Ramdas, a senior advisor to the Global Fund for Women and a visiting fellow and scholar at Stanford University’s Center for Philanthropy and Civil Society and the Center for Democracy, Development, and Rule of Law at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Affairs, participates in the Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ panel called “Smart Money: Granting Opportunities for Women Worldwide.”

Stir-Friday Night’s “Bubble Tea Party” @ Chicago Center for the Performing Arts ADDED 10/7
Friday, October 29 @ 7:30pm

The Chicago Asian American sketch comedy troupe celebrates its 15th anniversary with a new show that opens October 29 and continues through November 20.

Jai Ho(rror)! @ Big Chicks ADDED 10/7
Friday, October 29 @ Time TBA

Trikone Chicago hosts a Halloween edition of its wildly popular queer desi party. Exact details TBA–click the link above to join their Facebook group and get an invite when it’s available.

Hamdard Center Gala @ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Saturday, October 30 @ 6:00pm

SAPAC is proud to support the Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services’ 18th Annual Gala. Guests will enjoy Indo-Pakistani cuisine, a cultural show, live auction, and ethnic bazaar while raising funds for the agency’s social service programs. Featuring Sufi Qawwali superstar Amjad Sabri and master of ceremonies Ravi Baichwal of ABC7 News.

Music and Dance from Asia @ North Central College
Saturday, October 30 @ 7:00pm

The Naperville-based Xilin Art Center presents a celebration of Asian heritage featuring music and dance from countries including India.

Bharatanatyam dancer Chande performs and discusses using dance in storytelling.

Ravi & Anoushka Shankar @ Symphony Center ADDED 10/18
Saturday, October 30 @ 8:00pm

Shankar and daughter Anoushka perform in a celebration of the sitar master’s 90th birthday.

The World Stage: India-Sri Lanka @ Rhona Hoffman Gallery
Continuing through October 23

Wiley’s portraits of young men from New Delhi, Mumbai, and Sri Lanka are based on major historical paintings but with the subjects placed in new, culturally specific settings. Wiley has done similar series featuring young men from Brazil, China, and Africa, all vivid and striking.

Water Ways @ Walsh Gallery
Continuing through November 13

The West Loop-based Walsh Gallery presents an exhibition exploring the way art and water intersect as seen by prominent artists from China and India, including Vivan Sundaram, Reena Kallat, Gulam Mohammed Sheikh, and Sheba Chhachhi. While the pics don’t do some of the work justice, a preview of the show is available on the gallery’s website.

Jitish Kallat @ Art Institute of Chicago
Continuing through January 2, 2011

“September 11–today the date alone refers to the unforgettable events of 2001, the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Yet, 108 years earlier in 1893, this date was marked by a very different occasion, the landmark speech by Swami Vivekananda at the First World Parliament of Religions promoting religious tolerance. Internationally renowned Indian artist Jitish Kallat draws attention to the great chasm between these two events with his site-specific installation, Public Notice 3,” which opened on September 11, 2010.

This month, another Southern state moved toward electing a governor of South Asian descent.  A runoff is scheduled for the Republican nominee for the South Carolina governorship, but it is likely that Nikki Haley will become the second South Asian American governor, making Haley and her fellow Republican Bobby Jindal the highest-ranking elected South Asians in the U.S. government.

The similarities in the biographies of these groundbreaking individuals have been widely noted, including here, here, and here. Both were born in the U.S. in the early 1970s to recent Indian immigrants. Both converted to Christianity.  Both have impeccable conservative credentials and names that are easily pronounceable to most Americans. Both have been hailed as the future of the GOP, and both are assumed to have an eye on the presidency.

Jindal’s election in 2007 was mystifying for many reasons. After all, this is a state that reported a total Asian population of 1% in the 2000 census and that usually elects Democratic governors…and where former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke earned 44% of the vote for governorship just 17 years prior to Jindal’s election.

Having chalked Jindal’s victory up to a fluke, I was shocked when Nikki Haley nearly won an outright majority of votes in the Republican gubernatorial primary earlier this month. South Carolina also reported around a 1% total Asian population in the last census (comparatively, California had 13%), and Haley was the target of a racial epithet from her own Republican colleague during the race.

In addition to the racial makeup of these states, studies show that South Asians largely affiliate with Democrats. So from a statistical standpoint, Jindal and Haley’s success stories don’t make sense. Data regarding Haley’s election are still forthcoming, but exit polls and shifting demographics in Louisiana provide some insight into Jindal’s victory:

• There was a significant decrease in voter turnout in the 2007 Louisiana election, with the most marked drop noted in the heavily Democratic New Orleans area after the Katrina exodus. Low voter turnout, especially by African Americans, shifted several parishes that have historically been Democratic strongholds to Republican hands. 2000 census data indicate Louisiana consists of 65% whites and 33% blacks, and exit polls reported a turnout of 51% of white voters and 35% of black voters.

• Exit polls also indicate that Jindal received 63% of the white vote and 10% of the black vote. His nearest competitor was a Democrat (Louisiana does not have party primaries), who won 14% of the white vote and 36% of the black vote (this was the extent of the vote breakdown available). Essentially, Jindal carried every parish in the state except New Orleans, even very conservative northern/eastern parishes that supported David Duke. In contrast, Barack Obama carried just 14% of the white vote in Louisiana in 2008.

That Jindal had much more success with white voters in Louisiana than Obama is not that surprising, given how conservative this voting bloc has historically been. And both he and Haley only speak of their ethnicity in the context of the added credibility their second-generation status gives them as fiscal conservatives, a great tactic in states where the Tea Party is flourishing. They may also benefit from the “model minority” perception of Asians in these states with high degrees of racial polarization.

I think there are many layers to this complex situation, only a couple of which I alluded to here.  As different as my politics may be from these two, I can’t help but feel a twinge of satisfaction when the Louisiana of David Duke and the South Carolina of Strom Thurmond move toward electing South Asian governors. A record-high six South Asians nationwide (all Democrats) are running for Congress this year—a notable shift for South Asians from fundraising and campaigning to candidacy.

Every election cycle, I have friends that ask me questions about registering to vote, where to vote, how to pick judges, etc. I put together some information for IL voters that I hope you will find helpful. There are no biased opinions here — just facts about where you can find more information about your ballot and how to vote in this election. Please feel free to share this with others — esp. the ones you have a sneaking suspicion may be too shy to ask these questions! And please share any great resources you’ve found.

Thanks! Now get out and VOTE!

-Ramona

Can I still register to vote?

No. Regular voter registration ended Jan. 5 (the standard one month prior to an election), and grace period registration ended Jan. 26.

You should register to vote after this primary election so that you can vote in the regular election on Nov. 2.

What are we voting for in IL?

In the February 2, 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election, IL voters will cast ballots that include:

• U.S. Senator
• U.S. Representatives
• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• Attorney General
• Secretary of State
• State Comptroller
• State Treasurer
• State Senators (some)
• State Representatives
• Cook County Board President
• Cook County Commissioners
• Cook County Assessor
• Cook County Clerk
• Cook County Treasurer
• Cook County Sheriff
• Cook County Board of Review Commissioner (1st district)
• Appellate and Circuit Court Judges
• Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners (some)
• Regional Superintendent of Schools
• Democratic, Republican & Green Party Township Committeemen
• Various statewide, countywide and local referenda questions

Do I have to declare a political party preference?

Yes. In primary elections, you will be asked which political party’s ballot you would like to vote.

What will my ballot look like? Where do I go to vote?

Remember that you can print out your ballot, mark it up with your voting preferences, and take it into the voting booth with you. You do not have to vote on memory alone!

In suburban Cook County, you can see your exact ballot and polling place at the Cook County Clerk’s website.

In Chicago, go to ChicagoElections.com.

In other parts of IL, go to the IL State Board of Elections.

If you want to see what referenda might appear on your ballot, the IL State Board of Elections provides a handy Referenda Search. (It’s a bit clunky, so you’re better off just looking at your exact ballot using the links above.)

What time are the polls open?

Polls are open from 6am to 7pm every Election Day.

What is early voting and where/when can I do it?

Early voting ended Jan. 28. However, you can cast an in-person absentee ballot from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. For more info, go to the Cook County Clerk’s website.

How do I get an absentee ballot?

Jan. 28 was the last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot.

The options available to you now are to cast an in-person absentee ballot (see above) or to vote in person, at your polling place, on Feb. 2.

How do I know which judges to vote for?

Voting for judges is important. It’s a big part of your ballot, but it doesn’t take a lot of extra work to figure out which ones to support.

In Cook County, go to VoteForJudges.org. Read through the home page and then go to the Evaluations page to get your guide.

I use this guide to help me pick judges every time I vote. I print out the PDF version, highlight the judges I will vote for, and take that with me into the voting booth.

In the rest of IL, check the Illinois State Bar Association’s evaluations. The ISBA is only one of the bar associations included in the VoteForJudges Cook County guide, but it’s the only current statewide guide I’ve been able to find. Please share others you know of!

What kind of voting equipment will I use?

You may choose to use a paper ballot or an electronic touch-screen machine. Instructions should be posted at your polling place; you can also ask an election judge for assistance.

What if I show up and they tell me I can’t vote?

If you believe you are registered to vote and are at the correct polling place, ask for a “provisional ballot.” The election judges must provide you with at least a provisional ballot. They cannot turn you away. If they deny you the right to vote, call your County Clerk’s office. (Take the phone number with you to your polling place just in case.)

Don’t be shy about this. You know from previous elections and even reports from this year that people tamper with elections. You have every right to cast your ballot without interference or intimidation. And you have every right to tell your election authority to get their butts out to your polling place if anyone gives you trouble.

Know Your Rights

This is your Voter Bill of Rights. Read it – it’s important.

Voter Bill of Rights

1. Cast your ballot in a non-disruptive atmosphere free of interference.
2. Vote if you’re in line by 7pm.
3. Vote by provisional ballot if your registration is not found.
4. Vote a full ballot at your old polling place if you have moved within 30 days of the election.
5. Request voting assistance, if needed.
6. Bring newspaper endorsements or sample ballots into the voting booth.
7. Protect the secrecy of your ballot.
8. Receive a new ballot if you make a mistake or change your mind.
9. Review your ballot to ensure it’s complete and correct.
10. Have your ballot counted fairly and impartially.

Have more questions?

Lastly, if you have any questions at all about this year’s elections, ASK ME. Even if you don’t live in IL, I can help you find the answers to your questions. I would be happy to help you.