If you’re a Chicagoan, it’s time to vote. On Tuesday, February 24, Chicago polls open starting at 6am for the mayoral and aldermanic elections of 2015. There’s no denying the importance of your contribution in this election. Your vote will help determine the next four years of Chicago policy and several matters of long-term importance: pension reform, minimum wage, the future of Chicago Public Schools, and even snow removal.
Use these helpful resources to find your polling place and brush up on editorial endorsements. We even have a Twitter handle in the mix, so learning about the candidates and polling information is easy as can be.
BetterGov.org
This handy resources gives you a quick, poignant snapshot of Chicago mayoral candidates and their stances on hot button issues like public education, the Chicago police and fire departments, plus answers to more complicated questions with written responses from the candidates. For the most important vote of the day, BetterGov.org is equipped to help undecided voters make a more informed decision.
The Chicago Board of Elections Commissioners
The Chicago Board of Elections Commissioners offers a user-friendly portal to help you verify your voter registration, locate your polling place, obtain sample ballots and find contact information for public officials. Get a list of all local polling places by ward and precinct to find out where you’ll need to be on Election Day. The commissioner’s site also provides handy answers to FAQs, including what to do if you’ve accidentally made a mistake on your ballot. Polling places are beginning to adjust to more digitally friendly ways of gathering votes, so if you’re accustomed to the traditional paper ballot, this might be the time to brush up on what to expect come Tuesday by using the board’s instructional PDF on how to cast your vote with pen and paper or a swipe of the screen.
Chicago Tribune
The Midwest’s largest newspaper conducts mayoral and aldermanic surveys, led by its editorial board, serving as the basis for the Tribune’s endorsement process. Every candidate is accounted for, with survey answers in their own words. You can read candidates’ responses to the editorial board’s questions on City Hall spending and answers to the Tribune’s “Plan of Chicago,” a 12-step blueprint of action culled together by more than 1,000 ideas submitted by readers. The Tribune has made endorsements for each respective race, so this is your opportunity to see how the city’s most influential paper is making its calls.
DNAinfo.com
Chicago’s Aldermanic races often take a back seat to the higher profile mayor’s race, but it shouldn’t be taken for granted. Your alderman, after all, is the middle-person between you and the higher-ups at City Hall. Take a look at DNAinfo, one of the best (if not THE best) source for hyper-targeted local news, brought to you by reporters with a dedicated beat on neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Humboldt Park, the Loop, South Chicago, etc. Scan for election-day updates and brush up on your neighborhood’s local highlights in time for Tuesday.
@GregHinz
Here’s our sleeper pick. If you happen to be a Twitter user, you’ll want to follow Crain’s Chicago Business political writer and blogger. Hinz is arguably the foremost critic on Chicago politics. We have no doubt he’ll be tweeting out some interesting information and follow up on the biggest day in local politics.
Happy voting, Chicago!
