Skokie Voters Choose Electoral Reforms To Make Every Vote Matter

From the Skokie Alliance for Electoral Reform:

On November 8, 2022, the voters of Skokie made history by voting YES for all three pro-democracy referendums put before them, the culmination of a year-long grassroots campaign led by the Skokie Alliance for Electoral Reform. Voters chose to reform an electoral system that had facilitated almost six decades of single-party rule and left large parts of Skokie unrepresented on the Village Board. Nonpartisan Elections passed with 59.05% of the vote, Staggered Terms with 60.37%, and Hybrid Representation with 53.15%. With the implementation of these referendums before the 2025 elections, Skokie will no longer have one of the most restrictive electoral systems in Illinois; rather, the Village will be “at the forefront of good governance,” as Doug Linkhart, President of the National Civic League, commented.

The Skokie Alliance for Electoral Reform, a nonpartisan, grassroots ballot initiative committee, is delighted that the voters of Skokie have affirmed their desire for open, transparent, and fair elections with choice on the ballot and equitable representation. With generally uncontested elections since 1965, voter turnout in Skokie Village Board elections has been abysmally low – 9 percent on average over the past five cycles – because individual votes have not mattered. Operating under the belief that this historical disengagement was due to lack of choice and systemic barriers, not apathy or satisfaction, the Alliance collected over 4,000 signatures on each of three petitions to put the three referendums on the ballot. With the voters’ resounding endorsement for change, Skokie is becoming a leader in expanding democracy at this pivotal moment in American history.

The Alliance remains committed to its mission: to revitalize democracy and promote inclusive civic engagement in our Village through ballot initiatives. To that end, the Alliance will focus on the implementation of the three referendums with fidelity to their intent, offering research, partnership, and support to the Village Manager and advocating for an inclusive and transparent process. The grassroots group is dedicated to an electoral landscape that presents all candidates and parties with a level playing field and all voters with choice and representation. As the Alliance has never been a political party or partisan organization, it will not support or oppose any candidates, parties, or issues beyond electoral reform.

The volunteers who participated in this movement for electoral reform did so out of an abiding commitment to Skokie and a heartfelt desire to ensure that every Skokie voter has a voice and that our civic community continues to grow more vibrant, engaged, and united in our love for Skokie and for each other in all our diversity.

This release was produced by the Skokie Alliance for Electoral Reform. The views expressed here are the author's own.