Feb. 2 primary comes way too early

The holiday season was just over and before we even realized it, the primary season is upon us. That is why I strongly believe that the primaries should be moved back to at least mid-March, if not later.

This year's early primary puts candidates with little name recognition and small campaign war chests at a distinct disadvantage to more well-funded and well-known candidates. In December, voters are more focused on holiday preparations, rather than on an election that is almost a year away.

Once the holidays are over, voters have only a little over a month to inform themselves on the various candidates. The voters must scramble to learn where the candidates stand on the issues of the day, as well as the candidate's qualifications for the office they are seeking. It takes time to properly judge a candidate's character, as well.

I fear that voters will feel rushed into making a decision. Many voters may decide not to bother voting in the primary, at all, or simply vote for the name that they recognize or can pronounce. If that happens, we'll end up being stuck with a choice between the lesser of two evils in November. Illinois voters will all end up losing.

Dan Blackburn

Lombard