The right to vote is an important duty citizens of a country have. Depending on the election and government, voting allows everyday citizens to have a voice in making major decisions, such as who should lead the country next or what kind of laws should be put into place.

In the United States, voting is one of the basic ways people influence the direction of our government, from the federal level all the way to our local cities and towns. Many elections Americans vote in are to choose who will represent them in various offices such as mayor, governor, Representative, Senator, and President. Various levels of government in the United States are based on constitutional republics, where there is an agreement to share power between the governed and the government through representative bodies. Elections can also feature measures to create new laws or constitutional policies.

Why don’t people vote?

Even though voting as an Illinois resident is easier than it has ever been historically, there are a significant number of citizens who do not vote or have not registered. One major concern is election day happens during the week. If election day was moved to a Saturday, more citizens would be able to attend and cast their vote. Although many businesses allow employees to leave work to go vote, the timeframe may not always be enough for them as polls get busy. A second reason voting turnout may be low is because many citizens are unsure of how to get registered, if their information is up to date, or where their polling place is. This can be overwhelming and instead of trying to navigate their uncertainty, many choose to skip voting.

Why it’s important for all eligible citizens to vote

Our representatives at the federal, state, and local levels can only truly represent their constituents if all eligible citizens participate in elections. If only 40% of eligible voters cast their ballot to elect a specific candidate for city mayor, and the other 60% thought the candidate was a bad fit for mayor but did not cast their vote, the candidate would be elected but not represent the majority of people in the city. The same thing applies with other items on the ballot, like making changes to local laws and constitutions. Voting seems basic, but its effects are huge on our day to day lives. 

Upcoming Election Deadlines

Resources

• Illinois State Board of Elections – Voter Registration
• Illinois Voter Guide
• League of Woman Voters
• ACLU Illinois – Know Your Rights

For further voting information or to register in person, you may also contact Silvia Diaz or Andrea Capriotti at the YWCA Northwestern Illinois.

• 815-484-9442
• SilviaD@ywcanwil.org ext. 205
• AndreaC@ywcanwil.org ext. 228