Chicago City Wire

The General Assembly in Illinois has recently passed Senate Bill 2412, a move that will have significant implications for the upcoming elections in the state. The bill, which is now awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker's signature, aims to eliminate one of the processes for getting candidates on the ballot. This decision has raised concerns about potential limitations on voter choice on Election Day.

According to an analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute, the removal of the candidate slating process could result in fewer contested races, ultimately diminishing voter choice at the polls. Matt Paprocki, president and CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, expressed his concerns about the bill, stating, "This bill changes the rules in the middle of the game and will mean fewer contested races, which could diminish voter choice at the polls. It is a brazen attempt in a long line of efforts to protect incumbents and erode democracy in Illinois."

Paprocki further emphasized the potential consequences of the bill, highlighting that lawmakers are using their supermajority power to limit competition, which could ultimately harm voters. He stated, "This is a concerning trend, as elected leaders are less likely to prioritize everyday voters when turnout is low. Instead, they are more susceptible to corruption and prone to favor special-interest groups and lobbyists."

The Illinois Policy Institute's analysis has shown a correlation between higher electoral participation and a greater number of candidates on the ballot. In districts where only one candidate was on the ballot, voter participation was on average 7 percentage points lower. With roughly half of all Illinois House races being uncontested under the previous legislative map, the removal of the candidate slating process could further limit voter choices.

Paprocki also criticized the timing of the bill, noting that changing the rules in the middle of an election cycle when potential candidates have already made plans to run is unfair and unethical. He stressed that the process for accessing the ballot in Illinois is already complicated and burdensome, and voters deserve more choices, not fewer.

As Senate Bill 2412 awaits Governor Pritzker's signature, the implications of this decision on voter choice and electoral competition in Illinois remain a topic of concern and debate.