Just how did the vote break down Tuesday, and why was turnout so much lower than expected? Our politics team of Amanda Vinicky, Carol Marin – and yours truly – digs into the numbers in this week’s edition of Spotlight Politics.
The field of 14 mayoral hopefuls has been winnowed down to two: Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle. Two African-American women, each of whom say they have the progressive credentials and the executive experience that makes them right for the job.
With six weeks to go until the April 2 runoff, both are seeking the endorsements of their previous rivals; they’ll also have to get busy currying favor in pockets of the city where voters preferred other candidates.
Or where voters didn’t bother to cast ballots at all.
Tuesday’s municipal election nearly broke the record for low voter turnout (though registration has gone up since 2007, which, according to the city’s elections board, holds the record at 33.0 percent), with younger voters especially staying home.
Ald. Ed Burke isn’t complaining.
The City Council’s longest-serving member has become somewhat of a pariah at City Hall following a criminal charge for attempted extortion, but a majority of 14th Ward voters sent him back for another term, despite having the choice of two opponents with ties to U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.
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Related stories:
Lightfoot and Preckwinkle Make History in Mayoral Race
Chicago Aldermanic Races Yield Some Stunning Upsets
Ald. Ed Burke Re-elected Despite Federal Corruption Charge
