The voters of the county of Lake seem to have thirst to discover the candidates for the office and would not care about the opportunity to vote for their second or third choice – which is known as the voting of choice classified – in the event of the favorite choice of choice of a majority.
Lake County Country, Anthony Vega said he could make changes in voting procedures, but not others. He said that his office can take direct measures to help voters make a more enlightened choice. But, for things like the classified choice vote, a state law is required and its ability to have an impact on such a change would be limited to advocacy.
The classified choice vote and the information on improved candidates were among the many subjects contained in the results of an electoral survey published Monday by the Lake County Clerk office in Waukegan, indicating the thoughts and ideas of voters. These were not specific candidates.
About 2,000 people responded to the one month survey online taken in July. The other subjects included general voting experiences, ease or challenges of the vote, using the equipment, accessibility, performance of ballot workers, preference for the voting method and more.
One thing Vega learned is that some people who took the investigation wanted to see things implemented that were already part of the standard procedure. He said that the lack of information perceived is something that he hopes that we can correct quickly.
“We were really surprised that people asked for things we already do,” he said. “It means that our team will have to do a better communication job. We have to do more education on the process. We have to do a better messaging job to our client, the voter. ”
A question on the survey dealt with a classified choice vote, which is made in certain states but not in Illinois. Vega said that rather than voting for an individual, residents classify their choice of candidates from their first choice for the least desired candidate.
Although the voter is free to vote for only one of their choices, Vega said that when the votes were counted, if the leader does not have more than 50%, the votes are again by removing the lowest voting-obtenuated and by re-approving the choices until one of the candidates has more than 50%.
Among the people who offered an opinion on the voting of classified choice, 42.9% want to see it implemented, 23.9% are opposed and 33.2% were neutral. Among those who promote it, 28.6% are in full support and 14% are somewhat favorable. Among those against, 15.5% are firm in their opinion and 8.3% are somewhat opposed.
“I was surprised at the number of responses that we obtained for the voting of classified choice,” said Vega. “It was very favorable. This shows that our voters are engaged and care about the process. They see a place for the voting of classified choice. ”
Sitting in the working group on the vote at the choice of Governor JB Pritzker, Vega said that the process can only come in the State if the General Assembly of Illinois transmits a law and that the governor signs it. However, this gives him a platform to defend.
The creation of the system is not easy here. Vega said the Illinois has 102 counties and six other electoral commissions, which means that each time the voters go to the polls here, there are essentially 108 different elections. A lot of procedural efforts would need in certain places.
“Things can rotate very quickly, but some (counties) should modernize their electoral systems with capital investment,” he said. “We could pivot quickly, but this is not the situation in certain counties.”
Vega said more than 700 people had responded to an additional suggestions. Among those who answered the free question, about 50 years wanted more information on the candidates to help them decide who obtains his vote.
“They all wanted more information in a form,” he said. “Some wanted candidate forums, others wanted links to websites. They all wanted candidate information to be more easily accessible. ”
Providing more information on candidates is something Vega said that his office can do. It will take research to determine the best way. Those who suggested that he wanted to see simple material that is not politicized. A link to a candidate’s website was mentioned.
“They would like to see something like seeing an official campaign statement and something about their qualifications,” he said.
Other respondents wanted to add requirements to the registration of voters. Now said Vega, only two forms of identification are necessary, one with a current address. Although he is not questioned at the time of registration, an voter must be an American citizen. citizen and a 30 -day resident of their family district.
“People seem to be favorable,” he said. “There is a federal bill (under study) which would require a passport, a birth certificate or a naturalization certificate.”
More than half of the respondents, 50.3%, believe that there should be proof of citizenship, while 33.2% do not believe that it is necessary and 16.4% are neutral. Among those who support the idea, 33.7% are in full support and 16.6% somewhat favorable. Among the opposite people, 21.6% are very negative for the idea and 11.6% somewhat against.
Of the nearly 2,000 respondents, the crushing number prefers to vote per mail, 40%, or vote early, 40%, while 19% want to go to the polls on elections, and 1% did not give any preferably.
Several suggestions were made on boxes of deposit by sum, concerns were expressed concerning the elections close to the voting places, 95% were satisfied with their employees, 89% of the people who voted by mail were satisfied with the procedure and 93% did not meet physical barriers.
