With just days before the April 4 consolidated election, it appears voter turnout in Galesburg will be higher than the last time these city council and school board seats were up for election.
While the last presidential election in 2020 brought out 70% of registered voters in Galesburg, turnout for local elections can be abysmal.
In fact, the last time odd-numbered city council wards and these school board seats were up for election – in 2019 – only 1,448 people voted.
That’s less than 8% of registered voters.
“A lot of times people emphasize voting for the president and vice president, which is important. But your local offices are closest to you and will have the quickest influence on you,” said Lisa Watson, executive director of the Galesburg Election Commission.
Watson said turnout is typically a bit higher for local elections when there’s a mayoral race on the ballot, which is not the case this year.
For the last mayoral race in 2021, around 21% of registered voters in Galesburg cast ballots.
A civic duty
With the low turnout in 2019, there were some close races for council seats.
The Ward One race was decided by 66 votes, Ward Seven by six votes, and Ward Three by just three votes.
In 2021, when turnout was higher, the Ward Four race was decided by five votes.
Watson said every election matters and voting is a civic duty.
“We just encourage individuals to get a sample ballot and to research their candidates and their offices so they can make the most of their vote. Because one vote really does matter,” Watson said.
Trending up
But so far this year, turnout is trending up.
There are contested races for every seat up for election on the city council and school board.
In addition, Watson said it’s the first local election since optional permanent vote by mail became legal in Illinois.
Between vote by mail and early voting, 1,145 Galesburg voters had already cast their ballots as of March 28, one week before this year’s election.
That’s compared to a total of 422 early and mail-in votes in 2019.
“But typically 50 to 60 percent of the ballots cast are cast on Election Day,” Watson said.
Still time to register
Residents who are not registered to vote may still grace register if they live within the Galesburg city limits by coming to City Hall, 55 W. Tompkins St.
Two forms of ID are needed, including one with a current address such as a piece of mail.
“You’ll then be given a ballot and you can put it right into the tabulator, according to state law,” Watson said. “So if you haven’t registered to vote, or if you’ve moved or had a name change, you can literally do it today, all the way through April 4th at 7 p.m.”
Polls will be open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Watson said if voters are not sure of their polling place location, they can check their voter registration card or look it up online.
More than 60 election judges will be working at Galesburg precincts and city hall on Election Day, and Watson said the Galesburg Election Commission is looking for more.
“We will really need them for next year,” she said.
Early voting at City Hall is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
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