Message from the
Chair
By Kim Savage
Can you remember a more robust mid-term election? With
numerous Democratic candidates for Governor, Attorney General, 6th
Congressional District, County Board districts, and Circuit Court Judges, I
have never seen so much local activity for the Primary. The good news is that
there are outstanding candidates to choose from. It is important to show
appreciation for all of the candidates who have stepped up to represent us;
running for office is no easy task.
With so many great candidates running, it can be challenging
to decide who to vote for. There have been a several opportunities to meet
candidates at our meetings, and to attend meet and greet events and candidate
forums. We have links to candidate websites at www.dgdemocrats.org so that you may do
additional research. It is vital that you learn about the candidates and vote
Democratic in the Primary Election. It is also important to make sure that your
family and friends know about the candidates, are registered to vote, and are
motivated to exercise their rights to vote.
Voting is important, but securing the integrity of our votes
is vital. Unless you live under a rock, you have heard about Russian meddling
in the 2016 elections. However, did you know that efforts to undermine our
votes has long been part of the fabric of DuPage County? Even as I write this,
just days before Vote by Mail ballots can be issued, the candidacy for the
Democrat running for Forest Preserve District President is being challenged in
Appellate Court. This issue was resolved by the Electoral Board and the Circuit
Court, yet those rulings have been scoffed at by the Republicans. While Dan
Hebreard will be on the Primary Ballot, dirty tricks like this are intended to
frustrate candidates and deny voters a true choice at the polls. Voter
suppression is also exhibited by perpetuation of the belief that DuPage is a
Republican county. That belief has been instrumental in keeping Democratic
voters at home on Election Day. You can help protect the integrity of our votes
by encouraging others to register, by voting, and by being a watchdog on
Election Day.
There are still opportunities to become involved in the
Election Process for the March 20 Primary Election. Check out paid temporary
positions with the DuPage Election Commission at http://www.dupageco.org/Election/Get_Involved/37074/
or volunteer to be a pollwatcher as outlined elsewhere in this newsletter.
Here is your checklist for February:
·
Check your voter registration online
·
Make sure that your family members who will be
18 before November 6 are registered to vote so they can participate in the
Primary Election on March 20. Register to vote
here.
·
Learn
more about the candidates.
·
Stop by the office at 906 Curtiss Street and find
out how you can help local candidates.
·
Request a Vote by Mail
ballot online and vote.
Please stand strong and help make the Blue Wave a Blue
Tsunami. Never forget November 2016. Vote!
