Today and every day we honor our military veterans. Thank you for your commitment, service and sacrifices.
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Eight days have passed since the last day to cast your vote in the 2020 Election. Here in Illinois there are six more days for mail in ballots postmarked November 3rd to be received by the election authority.
In communities all over Illinois the League of Women Voters worked for many months toward a successful election. How do we measure success? We know we are all working toward an election in which all persons eligible to vote know they are eligible to vote; have the information they need to know how, when, and where they may cast that vote; have the necessary access to exercise that right to vote; have access to nonpartisan resources to inform their voting choices; and are able to do all of this safely, securely and without impediment of any kind.
This is election integrity. This is the work of the League of Women Voters, to protect the integrity of our elections; and by doing so we protect the integrity of our democracy. Throughout our state, we advocated for legislation to expand voter access in the face of the pandemic; we educated about ways to vote and registered new voters; we conducted candidate forums; we were poll workers and election judges; we collaborated with like minded organizations.
So much of the work of elections is the every day work - speaking with neighbors, encouraging a first time voter, waiting in line to vote - this is work in which everyone participates.
Our democracy benefits every time someone makes their way to the voting booth.
Because our vote is our voice. We vote.
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President
League of Women Voters of Illinois
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A century ago women won the right to vote, but it took another half century of work before that right was guaranteed for ALL women. Yet another half a century later, a Black-Asian woman, wearing a white pantsuit in a nod to the white dresses of the suffragists, was elected as our new Vice President.
It is momentous and fitting that the League of Women Voters enters its second century on the heels of this historic election.
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Thank you to our poll workers!
Sharing words from the eloquent Senator Tammy Duckworth, "Today, let us take a moment to thank a poll worker. Their hard work and diligence during this year’s election helped keep our democracy strong. In the midst of a global pandemic, they never wavered from their mission. Thank you.
Even after the election was called this weekend—even in the face of threats—many Americans are still counting ballots to make sure every voice is heard and every vote counts. We owe them a debt of gratitude for ensuring this election was free and fair for all Americans."
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Waiting for the count
Although the long wait for election results seems unusual, it is actually quite normal. Election counts are rarely finalized on election night or even the day after the election.
According to NBC Presidential Results, all 50 states are still counting votes, ranging from 61% to 99% counted. This means democracy is working. All votes, including mail in, provisional and military ballots must be counted, The last day for the Illinois State Board of Elections to canvass returns and proclaim the results of the election is December 4.
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Vote by Mail law: What it did for voters in 2020
Thanks to early action by the State of Illinois, voters were easily able to navigate voting safely during the pandemic. LWVIL supported the Vote By Mail law which Governor Pritzker signed last June, making the following possible:
- Vote by Mail expansion - voters could request ballots earlier and all voters were sent a ballot application.
- Early voting expansion - the early voting period was longer, with more hours and sites available.
- Safety measures at polling locations - masks, social distancing and cleaning protocols were put in place.
- Younger election judges - the age for election judges was reduced to 16 and up because older people are more susceptible to coronavirus.
- State holiday - November 3 was made a state holiday allowing schools to be used as polling places and students to participate as poll workers.
- Drop boxes were not mandated, but suggested to handle the expected increase in vote by mail ballots.
These changes greatly improved equitable voter access, but were mandated only for the 2020 General Election. LWVIL would likely support potential future legislation to strengthen overall voter protection by making some of these changes permanent.
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The League of Women Voters of Illinois’ one-stop shop for election information, Illinois Voter Guide, racked up an impressive number of unique visitors. Fifty thousand people went to the online guide, which was available in English and Spanish and provided information on:
- 706 federal, state and county races in Illinois
- 1999 candidates for office
- local League generated questions to 254 candidates
- 75 candidate forums and 78 candidate statement videos generated by local Leagues, covering 63 county races, 10 judicial races, 21 state legislative races, and 15 federal congressional races
- Bar association ratings for the 221 judicial vacancy and retention races
- Online voter registration/confirmation
- Application for vote by mail ballot
- Every dropbox location in Illinois
- Early and election day voting sites
The Illinois Voter Guide is open 365 days a year. Right now, voters making a plan for future elections and new voters can go to the Illinois Voter Guide to check their registration and register online.
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Prepared to protect voter rights
Before the election, LWVIL set up a Rapid Response system with local Leagues designed to track any reports of voter intimidation and provide any needed statewide guidance. Local leagues learned how to recognize voter intimidation and how to report it to the LWVIL. Fortunately, no incidents were reported.
Additionally, LWVIL worked with partner organizations to be ready for any potential events requiring a response.
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Working with partners to activate voters
Thanks to a grant from the Just Democracy Illinois Coalition focused on activating voters in Brown and Black communities, LWVIL was able to design, print and distribute 15,000 palm cards and 1,500 yard signs in English and Spanish giving voters election information and providing access to the Illinois Voter Guide. Twenty local Leagues and various partner organizations worked together to distribute these materials throughout the state. Building on work done by LWVIL, LWV Chicago and partner Chicago Votes to educate about the Illinois’ Voting in Jails Act, grant money was also used to print and mail 15,000 Know Your Rights Flyers to jails throughout Illinois for distribution to persons in detention.
As a member of the Promote the Vote coalition, LWVIL worked with numerous Chicagoland organizations to develop election messaging for social media as well as the distribution of 120,000 bilingual palm cards to potential voters on Chicago’s South and West sides.
As part of extensive voter education and outreach on a state level, LWVIL Voter Service chairs spoke at numerous events, including a meeting of hundreds of Shedd Aquarium employees and an appearance on an ABC7 Town Hall.
In addition, LWVIL is a year-round source of updated information, social media graphics and general support for the voter outreach efforts of 42 local Leagues statewide.
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Poll watchers needed November 18 and 19
The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights is seeking volunteer poll watchers for the Chicago Public Schools Local School Council Elections, held on November 18 and 19. Local School Councils (or LSCs) make important decisions that have a huge impact on racial equity in our public schools, from allocating funds to recent votes on police presence. Sign up to be a poll watcher. Questions? Contact Evelyn Field at [email protected] or (601) 942-1392. |
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Spring 2021 Consolidated Elections
The next voting opportunity will be this spring’s Primary for the Consolidated Elections on February 23, 2021, followed by the Consolidated Elections on April 6, 2021.
Many, mostly nonpartisan, offices are on the ballot. Offices may include: Municipal (Mayor, Council persons, Clerk and Treasurers), School Board, Township, Park District, Library, Community College Trustees, Fire Protection, Community Water and other special purpose districts.
Filing deadlines for candidates are November 23 for the Primary and December 21 for the Consolidated Election. For further information, see the Illinois State Board of Elections. |
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The League of Women Voters of Illinois is nonpartisan and neither supports nor opposes candidates for elected office but does work to influence public policy on specific issues after member study and consensus.
The League of Women Voters of Illinois Education Fund (LWVILEF) encourages informed and active participation in government by providing civic education and voter services. Make a difference today for you and your community with a tax-deductible gift to support our work to defend democracy and empower voters.
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