How to stop unfair elections in Illinois

Some Illinois voters April 1 will tell state lawmakers what to do about some of the state’s most pressing problems. One of the issues is the process of deciding legislative and congressional districts. Here’s what to know about gerrymandering.

Illinois voters in four townships will have a chance to tell state lawmakers to put an end to unfair political maps, a process called gerrymandering that discourages competition and denies voters choices at the ballot box.

What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering happens when districts are drawn to heavily favor one side, often by grouping those of the same political leanings. That makes it tougher to win, so incumbents face fewer challengers and voters are left with fewer choices.

The problem is voters stop caring and showing up to vote when they have no decisions to make. Elected leaders are less responsive to constituents and their concerns because those leaders know their seats are secure.

Some state leaders have been in office for decades without ever facing an election challenger.

Voters in Addison, Lemont, Homer and Palos townships will all weigh in on fixing the state’s partisan legislative maps. Voters will see this advisory question on their April 1 ballots:

“Should the state of Illinois create an independent citizens commission to draw fair and competitive federal and state redistricting maps, rather than allowing lawmakers to decide?”

The election results won’t directly change the law but will put pressure on lawmakers to address the issue. Now the maps are drawn by the party in power, and they draw them to benefit their people. The practice kills Election Day competition.

From 2012-2020, nearly half of Illinois House races went uncontested. In 2020, the same was true of the Illinois Senate races.

These grassroots efforts at the April 1 elections could speed up growing demand for reform that could restore genuine competition to Illinois elections and give voters real choices at the ballot box.