The 2024 Primaries are a Call to Reengage and Reform

In Illinois, Tuesday was election day.

To say we had a disappointing turnout would be an understatement: a mere 20.2% of eligible voters exercised their right to vote, a significant decline from 37.8% in 2020 and an even more dramatic drop from 53.5% in 2016. Amidst this decline, there was also a striking increase in nonpartisan ballots from just 77 in 2016 to almost 6,000 in the current election. These changes raised a question: Is the low turnout a response to an uncompetitive presidential primary or a broader disengagement from traditional party politics?

Elena Panyard, a voter who chose a nonpartisan ballot for the first time, encapsulates a growing sentiment: "We're cornered into choosing less-than-ideal candidates under the guise of fearing the 'other side.' We deserve better, and until we achieve that, I'm stepping back."

Reporting on the low turnout, the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board offers a blunt perspective: Choosing not to vote is tantamount to relinquishing your decision-making power to others. With referendums passing in primary elections 83% of the time, the decisions of a few impact the lives of many, shaping critical issues such as tax levies, park districts, and more. At a time when the cost of living is a paramount concern, it's alarming that only about 20% of Illinois residents are participating in these pivotal decisions.

The Sun-Times editorial board also endorses a familiar solution, offering that the path to revitalizing Illinois' political landscape may lie in ranked-choice voting. They highlighted BAEF partners FairVote and Better Elections for Illinois in their endorsement of ranked-choice voting as a solution to boost Illinois engagement and turnout and reduce partisanship and negative campaigning. We also know that ranked-choice voting increases representation among women and candidates of color, and that multi-winner districts and cumulative voting worked successfully here for years before Illinois moved to a winner-take-all system.

As we confront the political challenges of 2024, it's evident that a disconnect exists between our desires for change and the actions we're willing to take to achieve it. I've often talked about how holding multiple truths simultaneously is essential - and we must do just that to bridge this gap.

It is valid that we Illinoisans feel collective disillusionment about the fact that 9 out of 10 judicial and state legislative primaries in Illinois were uncontested - and that Illinois' history of partisan judicial elections has too often sidelined the most qualified candidates, with unprecedented campaign expenditures being increasingly influenced by outside special interests. However, this does not absolve us of our collective duty to engage in our electoral process. It's also true that we must push through the disillusionment and collectively strive for improved voting systems, equitable districts, responsible campaign financing, and the representation we truly deserve.