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The General Election in Illinois


m4434

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I am not sure if this is the right place to put this topic but it seemed to fit. This may be a silly question but I am having a hard time finding specific information regarding it. I have used google to try and find out what the procedure is but I have had no luck. So, I thought this was the perfect place to turn to. What day in March is the GOP primary for the Republican Candidates running for president. If I am already a registered voter is there anything that I need to do to go vote in the GOP primary? Do I have to declare whether I am in a certain party in order to vote? Where do I go to vote?

 

The other issue that I am concerned about is the general election for my local district. I have been keeping an eye on this forum to keep up with good candidates and not good candidates. Since the redistricting I am unsure who my local representatives are and have had trouble finding out. I am aware that I can go to the site where I type in my zip code and I have done that but it gives me a list of 8-10 representatives. When addressing issues should I be writing, calling, e-mailing all of these representatives, or should I only be contacting certain ones? I thought I had this figured out, as I had been contacting a couple of representatives last year when HB148 was up for a vote. But I have kind of lost track of things and am getting back in the game.

 

I would like to contact the correct representatives regarding the Assault Weapons Bans that are making their way through the process, as well as, other issues that the Governor is trying to get passed. It makes me sick. My fiancee and I are so very frustrated with what is going on in Illinois and what has been going on in this state for so many years. I have read so many comments and threads on this forum from people that have put up with it for a lot longer than I have. I take their words of encouragement to keep fighting and want to be involved by contacting my local representatives and be sure to cast my vote for the right people who will stand up for our rights.

 

Okay, after all of that rambling. (sorry) Basically, I am wanting to know if anyone has any information about what I need to do to vote in the GOP primary election and when is it? And when is the General Election for my local Representatives, I live in Rock Island? What representatives should I be looking at and where can I find out information on voting track records for the representatives so I can research, along with watching this forum, who to vote for?

 

Thank you to anyone who can help me.

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When you go to the polling place they will verify that you are a registered voter and then ask you which ballot you want, Dem or Rep. We don't register for a party in IL, but which ballot you draw is a matter of record.
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The other issue that I am concerned about is the general election for my local district. I have been keeping an eye on this forum to keep up with good candidates and not good candidates. Since the redistricting I am unsure who my local representatives are and have had trouble finding out. I am aware that I can go to the site where I type in my zip code and I have done that but it gives me a list of 8-10 representatives. When addressing issues should I be writing, calling, e-mailing all of these representatives, or should I only be contacting certain ones? I thought I had this figured out, as I had been contacting a couple of representatives last year when HB148 was up for a vote. But I have kind of lost track of things and am getting back in the game.

 

What makes it interesting this year is that your current rep is not necessarily the one representing your district after 2011. They changed all the districts during the 2011 redistricting, so the person you should write to this year may not be the person you are voting for or against in March. Also, regarding zip code, you need to put in the 9 digit (5+4) zip to get your rep. There are often multiple reps who represent a portion of the same 5 digit zip code.

 

Current Districts: (through end of 2012 session)

http://www.elections.state.il.us/districtlocator/districtofficialsearchbyaddress.aspx

http://votesmart.org/

Android App: https://market.android.com/details?id=ryan.illinoisgov

iPhone / iPad App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/illinois-government/id430118014

(Disclaimer: I wrote the above 2 apps)

 

 

Future Districts: (March Primaries, Nov General Elections, will be effective in 2012 session)

http://gis.elections.il.gov/map_viewer/default.aspx

No really easy lookup forms or webservices yet for these future districts. The map above will let you find your district by entering your full address, but is not cross-linked to the legislators running in that district yet. It is a fully manual process for now.

 

 

In answer to your question: Should I call, write, email? Best answer is all of the above. But do whatever you feel comfortable with. [shameless self-promotion] My smartphone apps above do make it really easy to call, email or visit them.[/shameless self-promotion]

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The other issue that I am concerned about is the general election for my local district. I have been keeping an eye on this forum to keep up with good candidates and not good candidates. Since the redistricting I am unsure who my local representatives are and have had trouble finding out. I am aware that I can go to the site where I type in my zip code and I have done that but it gives me a list of 8-10 representatives. When addressing issues should I be writing, calling, e-mailing all of these representatives, or should I only be contacting certain ones? I thought I had this figured out, as I had been contacting a couple of representatives last year when HB148 was up for a vote. But I have kind of lost track of things and am getting back in the game.

 

What makes it interesting this year is that your current rep is not necessarily the one representing your district after 2011. They changed all the districts during the 2011 redistricting, so the person you should write to this year may not be the person you are voting for or against in March. Also, regarding zip code, you need to put in the 9 digit (5+4) zip to get your rep. There are often multiple reps who represent a portion of the same 5 digit zip code.

 

Current Districts: (through end of 2012 session)

http://www.elections.state.il.us/districtlocator/districtofficialsearchbyaddress.aspx

http://votesmart.org/

Android App: https://market.android.com/details?id=ryan.illinoisgov

iPhone / iPad App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/illinois-government/id430118014

(Disclaimer: I wrote the above 2 apps)

 

 

Future Districts: (March Primaries, Nov General Elections, will be effective in 2012 session)

http://gis.elections.il.gov/map_viewer/default.aspx

No really easy lookup forms or webservices yet for these future districts. The map above will let you find your district by entering your full address, but is not cross-linked to the legislators running in that district yet. It is a fully manual process for now.

 

 

In answer to your question: Should I call, write, email? Best answer is all of the above. But do whatever you feel comfortable with. [shameless self-promotion] My smartphone apps above do make it really easy to call, email or visit them.[/shameless self-promotion]

 

When I enter in my zip code I get the following on the list of legislators:

 

Bobby Schilling 17th, US Representative Republican

Mike Jacobs 36th, State Senator Democrat

Patrick Verschoore 72nd, State Representative Democrat

Richard J. Durbin US Senator Democrat

 

I am confused as to who is running and who is running against them. I know that there are some pro-2A people running against some anti-2A people. What is a good way to find out who is running against who? So, am I correct in saying that the legislators listed above represent my district currently and that is who I will be voting for or against? But in reference to who I need to be contacting regarding the new issues in the legislator, how do I know who my representatives will be or do I contact these listed above currently and then after the election find out who my new representatives are at that time? I don't have a smartphone to be able to use the apps that you listed. I wish that I did though, that would help out a lot with contacting them.

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The other issue that I am concerned about is the general election for my local district. I have been keeping an eye on this forum to keep up with good candidates and not good candidates. Since the redistricting I am unsure who my local representatives are and have had trouble finding out. I am aware that I can go to the site where I type in my zip code and I have done that but it gives me a list of 8-10 representatives. When addressing issues should I be writing, calling, e-mailing all of these representatives, or should I only be contacting certain ones? I thought I had this figured out, as I had been contacting a couple of representatives last year when HB148 was up for a vote. But I have kind of lost track of things and am getting back in the game.

 

What makes it interesting this year is that your current rep is not necessarily the one representing your district after 2011. They changed all the districts during the 2011 redistricting, so the person you should write to this year may not be the person you are voting for or against in March. Also, regarding zip code, you need to put in the 9 digit (5+4) zip to get your rep. There are often multiple reps who represent a portion of the same 5 digit zip code.

 

Current Districts: (through end of 2012 session)

http://www.elections...hbyaddress.aspx

http://votesmart.org/

Android App: https://market.andro...yan.illinoisgov

iPhone / iPad App: http://itunes.apple....ent/id430118014

(Disclaimer: I wrote the above 2 apps)

 

 

Future Districts: (March Primaries, Nov General Elections, will be effective in 2012 session)

http://gis.elections...er/default.aspx

No really easy lookup forms or webservices yet for these future districts. The map above will let you find your district by entering your full address, but is not cross-linked to the legislators running in that district yet. It is a fully manual process for now.

 

 

In answer to your question: Should I call, write, email? Best answer is all of the above. But do whatever you feel comfortable with. [shameless self-promotion] My smartphone apps above do make it really easy to call, email or visit them.[/shameless self-promotion]

 

When I enter in my zip code I get the following on the list of legislators:

 

Bobby Schilling 17th, US Representative Republican

Mike Jacobs 36th, State Senator Democrat

Patrick Verschoore 72nd, State Representative Democrat

Richard J. Durbin US Senator Democrat

 

I am confused as to who is running and who is running against them. I know that there are some pro-2A people running against some anti-2A people. What is a good way to find out who is running against who? So, am I correct in saying that the legislators listed above represent my district currently and that is who I will be voting for or against? But in reference to who I need to be contacting regarding the new issues in the legislator, how do I know who my representatives will be or do I contact these listed above currently and then after the election find out who my new representatives are at that time? I don't have a smartphone to be able to use the apps that you listed. I wish that I did though, that would help out a lot with contacting them.

 

Use the VoteSmart link that Xwing gave you above. Search those names and you'll get a brief rundown of those elected official. You have one State Senator, Jacobs and one State Representative, Verschoore. These both serve you in the state capitol of Springfield. You have two U.S. Senators Durbin and Kirk (not sure why Kirk doesn't show in your list). Both of these men serve you in Washington D.C. in the U. S. Senate and are elected at large from the State of Illinois. Mr. Schilling is your U.S. Representative (sometimes referred to as your Congressman). He serves you in D.C. in the House of Representatives and represents the 17th Congressional District of Illinois.

 

Sorry if this seems basic, but you seemed confused as to the makeup of the various governing bodies.

 

Spend some time with Google, VoteSmart, and Ballotpedia to learn who's running, where and when.

 

T

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I am glad you explained that, that does help, thank you. Kirk was on my list I missed him when I copied the information. I will do some researching and see what I can learn and find. Thanks for the tips.

 

This is a huge primary and general election year. Due to the results of the 2010 census, every political office in the state that is based upon proportional representation, from city aldermen, ward committeemen, county board members, state representatives, state senators, and US Congressional representatives are all up for election at once. About the only people not running for office this go around are our US Senators Kirk and Durbin.

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I am glad you explained that, that does help, thank you. Kirk was on my list I missed him when I copied the information. I will do some researching and see what I can learn and find. Thanks for the tips.

 

This is a huge primary and general election year. Due to the results of the 2010 census, every political office in the state that is based upon proportional representation, from city aldermen, ward committeemen, county board members, state representatives, state senators, and US Congressional representatives are all up for election at once. About the only people not running for office this go around are our US Senators Kirk and Durbin.

 

And, our illustrious Governor. Unfortunately!

T

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