Election 2020 In Evanston: We Want To Hear From Voters

EVANSTON, IL — Illinois' 2020 primary election is less than a month away and Patch wants to know what's on the minds of voters in Evanston. 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 they are seeking to represent them from the 9th Congressional District, which included nine Evanston residents. Billionaires Mike Bloomberg and Tom Steyer did not submit delegate lists, nor did U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

There are no competitive congressional primaries in the 9th District, where Sargis Sangari makes his second attempt to unseat U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, nor in the Illinois House's 18th District, where no Democrats or Republicans have signed up to take on incumbent State Rep. Robyn Gabel.

In addition to picking candidates and delegates, Evanston voters will have at least one referendum question to consider: "Shall the City's offices of mayor, city alderman, and city clerk be elected in nonpartisan elections and, if necessary, non-partisan primaries commencing with the election to be held in 2020 and thereafter?"

The question was placed on the ballot after city staff discovered there was no record of the city ever adopting non-partisan elections via referendum, as is required under state law.

A second referendum that would have established a new process for citizen-initiated legislative proposals, was rejected by the city's election board after three residents objected to the scheme on the basis it was illegal and confusing. That decision was upheld last week by a Cook County judge. According to Cook County Clerks' Office spokesperson Frank Herrera, city officials removed the question from the ballot this week in response to the judge's decision.

Before early voting begins on March 2, Evanston 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