When I moved from #California to #Texas I was struck by how many judicial positions there were to vote on. But nothing prepared me for #Illinois.
Here is a link to the sample ballot for my precinct:
https://ballots.chicagoelections.gov/cboeballots61/1_2813_380_SP.pdf
(And this is a good reminder for people outside of the US for wonder why we don't do hand counts.)
For those wondering how much I am leaving blank, the answer is lots.
I never vote for anyone running uncontested even if I absolutely love them. It appears I have moved from one one-party county, Collin county #Texas, to another, Cook county #Illinois.
I am not going to vote on any of the judges (so pages 3 and 4 will be left entirely blank).
In addition to President, I am voting for the #Democrat for County Clerk. They appear competent. This really shouldn't be partisan but I can no longer trust a #Republican with running elections unless I have specific reason to know that that individual is trustworthy.
Also school board is something I looked into. A very well-funded candidate doesn’t believe in public education. So I am voting for her opponent, Yesina Lopez. She’s far from my ideal, but she actually believes in public schools.
i did spend a lot of time looking at the Water Reclamation District Commission candidates, and formed some opinions.
There are other local elections that ideally I should pay attention to, but my bit more than a year in #Chicago hasn't taught me enough about these positions and the relevant issues.
Would you mind being more verbose on you approach to uncontested elections? (I don't know what is the effect of voting in them in the US.)
@jpgoldberg
What does voting "no" on a judge's reelection do?
@robryk, these positions merely require a plurality of votes, with no minimum threshold. So an uncontested candidate can win with a single vote. So my refusal to vote for them is purely symbolic.
The symbolism, even if only for myself, is that I feel I am saying that election to a post should not be automatic.