Nonbinding issues do have value

Imagine, during today's desperate need for civic participation, that a well-respected newspaper encourages their readers not to vote. Well, imagine no more. The Daily Herald editorial board did just that in an Oct. 26 editorial that advised voters to "Ignore those nonbinding referendums on the ballot." The target of their ire are those pesky nonbinding referendum questions at the end of the ballot that ask you for your input as a voter.

According to the editorial board, nonbinding referendum questions exist purely for political reasons or just to embarrass local politicians; therefore, there is no need to register your opinion when you vote. The editorial board feels that your opinion as a voter really does not count anyway, so why waste your time even reading the question?

Nonbinding referendum questions have long served as an avenue to gauge public opinion that can be used to shape public policy. It is not the fault of the voter that policymakers tend to ignore the results of those questions. But remember, these are legal questions on a legal ballot for legal voters. A graduated income tax, minimum wage and earned sick time and legalized marijuana are recent examples of referendum topics that have appeared on the ballot.

Clearly, a binding referendum on these matters would be better in terms of desired action. However, even a less-structured, nonbinding question can still serve the purpose of extending the debate on issues that the public cares about. Raising the minimum wage and earned sick time questions on the current ballot are cases in point.

Finally, contrary to the view of the Daily Herald editorial board, your opinion as a voter does matter. So, please take the time and vote on the referendum questions that are listed on your ballot.

Keith Moens

Arlington Heights