Election 2020 In Highland Park: We Want To Hear From Voters

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Illinois' 2020 primary election is less than a month away and Patch wants to know what's on the minds of voters in Highland Park and Highwood. The March 17 vote, which happens to fall on St. Patrick's Day, will allocate the state's delegates to the Democratic and Republican national presidential nominating conventions this summer, and voters will also pick candidates in some contested statehouse and congressional party primaries.

With the recent impeachment of Republican President Donald Trump and 13 Democratic candidates set to appear on the Illinois ballot — eight of whom are still campaigning for the nomination — the race for the White House is heating up.

Six Democratic candidates submitted lists of delegates from local congressional districts they want to represent them at the convention in Milwaukee.

Delegate hopefuls from the 10th Congressional District included two local residents: Esteban Carbajal, of Highwood, a Department of Justice accredited representative for the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic who is supporting Sen. Elizabeth Warren, while Larry Feder, of Highland Park, a former Southlake Mosquito Abatement District Commissioner, is supporting Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Billionaires Mike Bloomberg and Tom Steyer did not submit delegate lists, nor did U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

In the 10th Congressional District, Winnetka Republican Valerie Ramirez Mukherjee is unopposed on the ballot, as is incumbent U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, a Deerfield Democrat.

Vernon Township Trustee Adam Broad, a Buffalo Grove resident and Sanders supporter challenging Schneider from the left, was tossed off the ballot in the 10th District after a challenge from Northbrook resident Julie Rosner. He has said he plans to run a write-in campaign in the 10th District Democratic primary. Schneider has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the presidential primary.

Before early voting begins on March 2, Patch wants to hear from the community. What are the biggest issues facing Illinois and the nation heading into the primary? What impact does national politics have on local voters?

To share your views, take a moment to fill out the brief election survey below. Unless otherwise noted, responses may be used in future news coverage, though no names will be posted on Patch without authorization. Responses are due Feb. 27.

Illinois 2020 Primary Election Deadlines

• Early voting: March 2-16
• Voter registration deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 18; Online by Saturday, Feb. 29
• Voter registration "grace period:" Wednesday, Feb. 19 through Election Day
• Election Day registration and voting (call your local election office): Tuesday, March 17
• Deadline to request an absentee ballot: in-person request by Monday, March 16
• Deadline to return completed absentee ballot: Post received by Tuesday, March 31