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Local Elections Roundup & predictions open thread * Updated x1 *

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Illinois

[Note from Rich Miller: Despite today’s Committee of the Whole meeting in the House, we do hope to have some updates for you tonight on Chicago election results. Check back around 8ish.]

* Daley’s fundraising juggernaut

* Voter guide to city and suburban elections

* Daley confident, but not overly confident; poised to outdo his Dad

* Summary of today’s key races

* 2nd ward race heats up in final hours

* Final countdown to Chicago election

* Dist. 88 goes digital in plea for tax increase

The 10-minute DVD depicts crowded hallways, outdated classrooms and traffic congestion around both schools. Volunteers wrote and narrated the film, while the village of Addison shot footage and the district conducted interviews with local residents.
Sherri Amsler, District 88 community relations director, said the film is a modern way to get word out to voters.

* Late mailed postcards may be one of several factors to low turnout

A decline in the number of registered voters in the city — now roughly 1.4 million, down about 30,000 since the 2003 election — is perhaps the most significant factor, but bad weather, a one-sided mayoral race and many uncontested aldermanic races also may contribute to voter apathy. Turnout was about 34 percent four years ago.

* Illinois election involves few contests

* Low voter turnout may decide Naperville mayoral election

* Eric Zorn: Casting a vote against Daley

Traditionally, I vote against Daley purely on the theory that overwhelming electoral mandates–three times he has polled over 70 percent of the vote–are bad for the democratic process. A system in which the man or woman at the top can take re-election for granted might as well be a dictatorship.

* Three will lose today’s Hoffman Estates primary

* All eyes on 6 aldermanic races in Springfield

*** UPDATE *** Use the comments to predict the outcome of your local races, and any others you know something about. Also, give us an update on your precinct observations.

[Comments now closed so we can consolidate the posts. Go here instead.]

posted by Paul Richardson
Tuesday, Feb 27, 07 @ 8:22 am

Comments

I voted for Daley, De Valle, and Ginger Rugai - Your corrspondant was # 1 at 23rd Precinct of the 19th Ward) very warm and friendly and the poll watchers did a great job all around. We vote in a Quaker Meeting House at 107th & Artesian. Sheehan and Rugai workers abounded and shared coffe from Kean. I did not see one Somerville palm card passer.

Comment by Pat Hickey Tuesday, Feb 27, 07 @ 8:47 am
There are never any palm card passers in most of the further suburban areas.

Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, Feb 27, 07 @ 9:47 am
I’m gonna close out comments on this and consolidate all of our local elections stuff at another post.

Go here.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 27, 07 @ 10:24 am