Editorial: Care about government? Time to pay attention

The last couple of months have been a whirlwind of headlines for the Illinois General Assembly and Congress. Controversial votes on pensions, gay marriage and concealed carry all resonate with voters on each side of those issues.

The government shutdown and the federal health care website debacle have also stirred the passions of partisans on both sides.

But how many of those voters took notice in the last week that it was time for candidates to file for the March 18 primary? Yes, despite the holidays, it’s officially election season and time to start paying attention.

Statewide, there are primary battles for governor and the Republican nomination for treasurer and U.S. senator. There are also a host of congressional, state Senate and state House races. Locally, county offices are up for election as well.

Despite all the hot-button issues that have dominated the news recently, turnout for the primary is likely to be low, if past elections are a gauge. In recent years without a presidential primary, statewide turnout has been 23 percent (2010) and 25 percent (2006). Even last year with a presidential election, primary turnout was in the same range.

The candidates and media like the Daily Herald will do their parts to help delineate differences between the candidates. But in the end, a desire to take part in the process must compel voters to get to the polls.

Unfortunately, history tells us that too few people have that desire, despite the frequent calls for change, chants to throw the bums out and the like when certain issues are debated. Or, on the other side, despite wanting to reward incumbents who perhaps made a difficult or, in some cases, courageous stand. And this is especially worrisome in a primary, where because of the low turnouts, the voices of extreme points of view can and often do exert more influence than their representation in the larger voting population would justify.

For example, two experienced Republicans who would likely win a general election contest and whose conservative credentials might not otherwise be questioned — state Reps. Ed Sullivan of Mundelein and Ron Sandack of Downers Grove — face primary challenges mainly because of their support for marriage equality. Democrats who supported pension reform in Illinois may similarly face tough if not career-ending primary challenges from well-organized forces upset by the changes.

None of these officials, Democrat or Republican, deserve to be returned simply because they are incumbents. Rather, whether they are returned or not should depend on their relative appeal to the larger field of voters in their parties.

To ensure your opinion gets counted and not just the minority wings of either party, do your homework in the coming months, familiarize yourself with the candidates and issues and make informed decisions on primary day.