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If voter turnout is not as high as it should be for general elections, the numbers are even more dire for primary elections. Often an overlooked part of the political process, primary elections pose a challenge to the lazy voter — not being able to vote along party lines.
This year, however, other dire numbers should spur people to put on their thinking caps and get out and vote in the primary election. Numbers like 5.1 billion — the number of dollars the state of Illinois is in debt — or 10.8 — the percentage of unemployed people in Illinois — should dominate this election season.
Although these are statewide statistics, people in Tazewell County are feeling the effects, and voters should keep state issues in mind, even when voting for local candidates running for local positions such as county board, county treasurer, clerk and sheriff.
Not only are these the people who make the decisions that make (or are supposed to make) the Peoria area “better,” as the slogan goes, and more economically resilient than the rest of the state, they may also be the people who will someday be in a state government position.
Tazewell County does not operate in a vacuum. And, just as state politicians affect lives, our local politicians not only affect our lives but may also move on one day to affect the lives of people all across the state.
Republicans and democrats have a say in who is the future of their party and it starts with the primary elections.
People should think hard before casting their votes Feb. 2.
If voter turnout is not as high as it should be for general elections, the numbers are even more dire for primary elections. Often an overlooked part of the political process, primary elections pose a challenge to the lazy voter — not being able to vote along party lines.
This year, however, other dire numbers should spur people to put on their thinking caps and get out and vote in the primary election. Numbers like 5.1 billion — the number of dollars the state of Illinois is in debt — or 10.8 — the percentage of unemployed people in Illinois — should dominate this election season.
Although these are statewide statistics, people in Tazewell County are feeling the effects, and voters should keep state issues in mind, even when voting for local candidates running for local positions such as county board, county treasurer, clerk and sheriff.
Not only are these the people who make the decisions that make (or are supposed to make) the Peoria area “better,” as the slogan goes, and more economically resilient than the rest of the state, they may also be the people who will someday be in a state government position.
Tazewell County does not operate in a vacuum. And, just as state politicians affect lives, our local politicians not only affect our lives but may also move on one day to affect the lives of people all across the state.
Republicans and democrats have a say in who is the future of their party and it starts with the primary elections.
People should think hard before casting their votes Feb. 2.
