Daley | Vote! Early voting for the November 8 midterm election is already open citywide.

NEWS & POLITICS

ELECTIONS Vote!

Early voting for the November 8 midterm election is already open citywide. By JIM DALEY

ZAHID KHALIL

On November 8, the midterm elections will determine whether the Democrats keep control of Congress, setting the stage for next year’s political battles. State and Cook County o ceholders and political hopefuls will also be on the ballot.

Early voting for the 2022 midterm election is open in all 50 wards as well as at the Board of Elections Supersite (191 N. Clark) and the Board of Elections O ce (69 W. Washington). You can fi nd information about where to vote early at bit.ly/ChicagoEarlyVotes.

The following statewide o ces are on the ballot: Governor; U.S. Senate; Attorney General; Secretary of State; Comptroller; State Supreme Court 2nd and 3rd Districts; the 6th, 11th, and 14th Congressional Districts; and the Cook County President and Board of Commissioners.

A number of referendums are on the ballot as well. One will ask voters whether property taxes should be hiked by an average of $1.50 a month to help fund the Cook County Forest Preserves District. Another will ask voters in three wards whether they think mental health workers should be sent to people experiencing mental health crises instead of police o cers (See “Mental health on the ballot,” page 15). Voters will also be asked to vote on an amendment that would enshrine workers’ right to bargain collectively and organize unions in the state constitution (See “A team effort,” page 16).

There are also dozens of judges on the ballot—many of whom are running for retention. The courts have an outsize impact on Chicago communities, and yet judicial races are often the hardest to make an informed choice in. Fortunately, our friends at Injustice Watch, a nonprofi t journalism organization in Chicago that focuses on the criminal legal system, have got that covered. They put together a fantastic guide to all the judges on the ballot, which you can fi nd in this issue (See “Check your judges,” middle insert).

Finally, we have an early preview of the February 2023 municipal elections in the form of a special report on the emerging fi eld of candidates for police district councils— and what to do if you’re interested in running for a seat (See “Community oversight of the police: fi nally a reality?” page 20).

Read up on the referendums, check your judges, and get out there and vote! v @jimdaleywrites