The date of the runoff election is quickly approaching, and all Chicagoans from all neighborhoods should be equally represented at the ballot box. North Lawndale as a community has immense voting power.
The community has a population of 34,794, according to community data on Illinois.gov in 2020. Furthermore, there are so many citizens whose votes matter. Being one of the larger neighborhoods in terms of population, there is no reason why every voice in North Lawndale shouldn’t be heard on April 4.
The Math of the Vote
In the initial mayoral election, which took place on February 24, only 33 percent of Chicagoans cast a ballot. This percentage is even worse in North Lawndale, according to ChicagoElections.gov. Only 25 percent of those in the 24th ward voted. Furthermore, out of a population of 34,794, there are 26,939 registered voters. Out of all of these registered voters, only 6,961 people voted. Only a quarter of North Lawndale residents voted in the primary elections.
North Lawndale’s population makes up about 1.2 percent of Chicago’s total population. While this is not a lot in comparison to the entirety of Chicago, a little can go a long way. If all 26,939 of North Lawndale’s registered voters voted in the upcoming runoff election, that means the vote of the community would become a significant factor in the election.
If every other neighborhood in Chicago votes at the same rate except for North Lawndale, then the North Lawndale vote would turn into five percent of the vote, or five times the population voting power of the city. This is very significant, if North Lawndale as a community all voted they could have more voting power.
Only one ward had at least half of their registered voter’s turnout at the primary election. If North Lawndale had at least half the voice of the community would be heard louder than others.
Importance of Youth Voters
It is not enough that all registered voters vote. In 2021, there were 84 students enrolled as seniors at North Lawndale Prep, and only 83 the following year.
At North Lawndale College Prep at the Collins Campus, there were 88 in 2021 and 108 seniors in 2022. That means that there are at least 363 citizens of North Lawndale that are now 18 and able to vote. Moreover, this is not including those who turned 18 between 2021 and now who went to different schools or none at all.
How to Register
If anyone wants to make the voice of their community and their own count in this upcoming mayoral runoff election between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson, it is imperative that people register to vote. People can register to vote in person at early voting locations, such as St. Agatha’s Parish at 3151 Douglas Boulevard. Individuals can also register online until midnight on March 19, in person at their precinct polling place on election day, or at the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.
If anyone is not sure if they’re registered they can check voter information at ChicagoElections.gov, and if anyone needs a new voter registration card they can email registration@chicagoelections.gov with the subject line “Need Registration Card.”
The youth vote is very important to not just North Lawndale, but all of Chicago. The younger generation of North Lawndale stands to inherit the struggles and triumphs of the community. If they’ve already registered to vote, they can still be active in voting in their community.
Ask friends if they’re registered, tell family members to register, and send the online link to register to everybody who can. Finally, remember that North Lawndale can make up a significant part of the ballots if everybody does their civic duty. Do not let the mayoral election slip by without telling Chicago who people think would do right by their community. Through voting, change is made.
Written by Caroline Buehler
Sources:
ChicagoElections.gov: 2023 Mayoral Election Results
Illinois.gov: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning North Lawndale Community Snapshot 2022
Illinois.gov: Illinois Online Voter Application
IllinoisReportCard.gov: North Lawndale Prep
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Marcia Cirillo Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Heather Katsoulis Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
