THE DAILY ILLINI E LECTION GUIDE
THURSDAY
October 30, 2014
55˚ | 42˚
WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM
5he independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
Vol. 144 Issue 039
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From knowing the candidates to finding the polling locations, here’s your go-to guide to the Illinois Midterm elections. Now, go out and vote. UNIVERSITY AVENUE
Find out the candidates’ stances
HARVEY STREET
WHITE STREET
WRIGHT STREET
Main Quad
DANIEL STREET
ARMORY AVENUE
Supports raising the Illinois minimum wage from $8.25 to at least $10 over the next two years.
Supports 3 percent tax increase on tax income greater than $1 million to pay for increased education funding.
Environment Supports development of wind and solar energy in combination with the use of nonrenewable resources, including coal, oil and natural gas.
Energy efficiency programs have expanded under Quinn, but so did coal exports. He also signed a bill to allow fracking in Illinois.
Marriage Equality Does not support gay marriage, although he does not have any intent to change Illinois law.
Signed the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, legalizing gay marriage in Illinois.
Ann Callis Democrat candidate for 13th Congressional District
Minimum Wage Supports minimum wage increase, provided there are offsets for employers.
Supports increasing the national minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.
Education Sponsored bill for businesses to help employees repay student loans, but voted on a budget to cap Pell Grants for 10 years.
Supports increasing federal Pell Grants and has endorsed Sen. Dick Durbin’s “Student Bill of Rights.”
Environment Supports construction of Keystone Pipeline, increased production of coal, natural gas.
Critical of federal regulations intended to curb carbon emissions, supports investing in renewable energy sources.
Marriage Equality Supports definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.
Kristin Williamson Republican candidate for 103rd District Representative
She supports the right to marry, regardless of sexual orientation.
Carol Ammons Democrat candidate for 103rd District Representative
Minimum Wage Does not support increasing the minimum wage.
Supports action to raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour.
Education Supports increasing state funding for higher education, specifically for the University of Illinois.
Supports maintaining the state’s funding obligations to higher education to avoid higher tuition rates.
Environment Supports protecting Illinois’ water supply, creating green jobs and shifting to wind and solar energy sources.
Supports stricter local environmental regulation, specifically regarding the protection of Illinois’ water supply.
Marriage Equality Supports marriage equality.
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Supports marriage equality.
GREGORY DRIVE South Quad
Stanley Staley
Illini Grove PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE Memorial Stadium
Mt. Hope Cemetery FLORDIA FLORIDAAVENUE AVENUE
KIRBY AVENUE
you Absentee voters Q:thinkWhatis thedo most issue trend upward important for students that should in Champaign politicians be considering Assembly STATE FARMHall CENTER
Florida and Lincoln Play Field Complex
YOUR VOICE
ST. MARY’S ROAD
South Campus Research Park
More students opt to send ballots home during November elections BY CHARLOTTE COLLINS
W
STAFF WRITER
Rodney Davis Republican candidate for 13th Congressional District
1. McKinley Foundation, 809 S. Fifth St. 2. University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St. 3. Student Dining and Residential Programs, 301 E. Gregory Drive 4. Skelton Place Community Room, 302 S. Second St. 5. Activities and Recreation Center, 201 E. Peabody Drive 6. Lincoln Ave Residence Hall Lounge, 1005 S. Lincoln Ave.
NEVADA STREET
Stadium Terrace Play Field
OAK STREET
Prioritizes an increase in education funding using tax revenue, but does not support raising taxes to do so.
STADIUM DRIVE
Minimum Wage
Education
ILLIN0IS STREET
DORNER DRIVE
Pat Quinn Democrat candidate for Governor
FOURTH STREET
CHALMERS STREET
MATTHEWSAVENUE AVENUE MATHEWS
SIXTH STREET
FIFTH STREET
FOURTH STREET
THIRD STREET
SECOND STREET
FIRST STREET
GREEN STREET
GREGORY STREET
Bardeen Quad
HEALEY STREET
GOODWIN AVENUE
SPRINGFIELD AVENUE
JOHN STREET
Favors an increase in the national minimum wage or the Illinois minimum wage in conjunction with helping small businesses.
GREGORY STREET
STOUGHTON STREET
LINCOLN AVENUE
A guide to the Illinois gubernatorial, congressional and state legislative candidates’ positions on minimum wage, education, environment and marriage equality.
Bruce Rauner Republican candidate for Governor
Where to vote on campus
CLARK STREET
hile students live in Champaign or Urbana throughout the school year, some registered voters prefer to vote for candidates in their hometowns for the upcoming Nov. 4 midterm elections. The number of absentee voters in ChampaignUrbana has been trending upward in recent years, according to Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten. “This year, so far, we’ve had 3,846 absentee ballots sent out,” Hulten said. “The numbers are progressively getting heavier.” As of press time on Wednesday, 4,428 people voted early within Champaign County. Hulten said the county’s busiest locations are Brookens Administration Center in Urbana, which had 1,939 voters, Meadowbrook Community Church, 897 voters and the Illini Union, 430 voters. Halie Rando, graduate student in ACES, sent absentee ballots home to Massachusetts during her undergraduate years at the University, but has since decided to register to vote in Champaign County. Rando explained that absentee voting makes the most sense for students who still feel more attached to their home communities and want to remain involved in politics in their respective towns. She noted that becoming a longer-term resident is what made her decide to register locally. “I’m from Massachusetts, and I love Massachusetts’ politics, but I figured, since I’m going to live here for six years, I should switch over to here,” Rando said. “I’m registered, and I’m planning to vote on the 4th.” Rando said she even sent absentee votes to her hometown when she lived in England for a year. “If you’re a college stu-
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dent and you haven’t really assimilated to the community here, it’s a really good idea to stay involved in your community back home until you have somewhere else to get engaged in.” Rori Westerlund, freshman in Education, said she wanted to start off on the right foot with her first year being eligible to vote. She sent her ballot home to Geneseo, in western Illinois. “It was the first election that I was able to (vote), so I felt it was important to start with my first election day and make it a habit,” Westerlund said. “I also just felt that it didn’t matter whether I was living two and a half hours away or not. My parents influenced me, but I felt like I did it independently; I did it on my own and mailed it myself.” Westerlund said she doesn’t think many students are aware of the opportunity of absentee voting, and believes others would be more likely to participate in the election if they knew of the option. “I think it should be stressed. I hadn’t even heard of the process, and didn’t really think I would be able to vote being outside my town,” Westerlund said. “It’s a great way to still be involved in your community while being at college.” All absentee voter ballots must be postmarked by today. However, many students won’t send votes home or cast ballots locally. Alison Ganko, a senior in ACES, feels she doesn’t know enough about the upcoming elections to cast a vote, but she may vote in the future. “I usually don’t vote, but I’m planning on voting once I’m more informed,” Ganko said. “I just don’t read up on issues, and I don’t want to make an uninformed vote.”
Charlotte can be reached at news @dailyillini.com.
right now?
“(In terms of student loans) I think that money is an issue especially with in-state colleges because students leave college with a large amount of debt.” $/(; /$1'5< GSFTINBO JO %(4
“I think that they should focus on the tuition aspect. I am lucky to have a scholarship, but I know people with loans. It’s an issue that needs more focus.” 526(55< <8 TFOJPS JO .FEJB
“I think that they should lower tuition and increase work study.” 6$%,1$ 5$( GSFTINBO JO %(4
“They should focus on financial aid to lessen the cost of tuition.” 1,&2/( 0&*$5(/ TFOJPS JO ")4
“They should focus on loans and lowering tuition. Debt is a big issue, and it follows students after graduation so it would be beneficial if they limited it.”
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