Use resources and be sure to vote

The League of Women Voters of the Palatine, Barrington and Schaumburg Areas (LWVPA,) are keenly aware of the importance of voting. Many people follow the November General Elections; however, they ignore the importance of the primaries and local elections.

Primaries give voters the power to decide who will be on the ballot in the November General Election. Citizens’ priorities will be served in Springfield and Washington, D.C., if their candidate is on the ballot in November 2026.

While full voter participation is our goal, turnout in primary elections remains low. According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, fewer than 20% of voters cast a ballot in the 2024 primary, just one in five voters.

This means a small, motivated group of voters can disproportionately influence candidate selection. By voting in primaries, citizens can help ensure that candidates reflect the wide range of views found in the general population.

As we approach the March 17 primary, we urge everyone to make a voting plan. Make sure you’re registered, find your polling place and research the candidates. To help voters, the LWV offers two resources --VOTE411, www.vote411.org and local Candidate Forums. Recorded Candidate Forums can be found on VOTE411.

Don’t be intimidated. Take time to do your research.Since VOTE411 receives responses from all candidates, the information is non-partisan. The following sites also offer non-partisan judicial information and they are not sponsored by the League: https://www.voteforjudges.org/ or https://www.injusticewatch.org/topics/judges/judicial-elections/.

Don’t surrender your voice in the political process. Vote.

Chris Jessee and Camille Basak, Co-Presidents

League of Women Voters of Palatine, Barrington and Schaumburg Areas