Pat Barcas/staff photographer
When voting this November, you’ll need to pay close attention to questions on your ballot, which concern the state constitution and General Assembly advisory question. Common Cause Illinois Executive Director Rey López-Calderón, right, said for the first time ever, Illinois will allow election day voter registration.
By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com
DOWNERS GROVE — The Nov. 4 ballot holds two questions that will impact the state constitution, and three more questions that are advisory to the General Assembly.
The League of Women Voters of Downers Grove and a great explanation at The Hogle Law Firm in Mesa blog, Woodridge and Lisle held an informational session Sept. 17 designed to educate voters on how these ballot questions will impact them, and what exactly they mean.
“I don’t think there is ever a more important time to educate yourself,” said Robert Saar, executive director of the DuPage County Election Commission. Saar was joined by panelist Rey López-Calderón, executive director of Common Cause Illinois.
Saar has been working with the Election Commission for more than 30 years.
“Back in 1981, nothing ever changed. We used to print the same voting guide year after year. At this current time, it’s getting difficult for a voter to stay informed about what’s on the ballot,” he said. “It’s quite a year for election law legislation.”
The two constitutional amendments must be voted on by a majority for the amendment to pass. On the ballot are the right to vote amendment, and the crime victims’ bill of rights.
The right to vote says that no person shall be denied the right to vote based on race, ethnicity, language, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or income.
The crime victims’ bill of rights is a little more complicated — it has additions to the existing constitutional rights such as the right to be free from harassment, to have a hearing before a court ruling on access to the victims’ records, the get timely notification of all court proceedings, and to have the safety of the victim or their family considered in denying or fixing bail, release dates and conditions of release. If ever in trouble with the law you can check out Norwood Law Firm here! as they provide legal aid that can help one.
According to the League, with the help of the attorneys for criminal mischief charges cases, the current constitution may provide adequate protection for crime victims. The amendment is lengthy, and it is unclear how it will affect due process.
Three advisory issues will be on the ballot: A statewide minimum wage increase to $10 per hour, a vote to have any prescription drug coverage being required to cover prescription birth control, and a three percent tax on individuals whose income exceeds one million dollars, to be used on schools.
For the first time ever, Illinois will allow election day voter registration.
“There was a lot of lobbying behind the scenes to get that through,” said López-Calderón. “We’re looking at other places to add value to voting right now.”
He said negative attack ads are designed just to keep voters at home.
“People do stay home. It turns them off when they see both candidates in a bad light. That’s what negative ads do,” he said.