April 13, 2022
In this Issue: Over 75 New Young Voters Registered in 7 Hours ● It’s Not Too Soon to Apply for a Mail-in Ballot ● Governor Pritzker Celebrates $1.8 Billion in Tax Relief ● Volunteer Spotlight ● Holiday Greetings ● In Case You Missed It ● Upcoming Events
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Over 75 New Young Voters Registered in 7 Hours
Students at Waukegan High School celebrate their new role as registered voters with Deputy Voter Registrar Dawn Johnson, above. Dawn is joined by Deputy Voter Registrar Carl Renouard, shown registering a student, below.
A team of Democratic Deputy Voter Registrars ran registration drives throughout Lake County last week, with students at Waukegan High School especially eager to sign up.
More than 75 enthusiastic students registered to vote for the first time on April 5, keeping Deputy Registrars busy all day. Illinois law allows 17-year-olds to register and vote in a Primary Election, as long as they will turn 18 by the General Election, which is November 8 this year.
It was exceptionally gratifying to see so many young people willing—and even enthusiastic—to take part in our democracy. We’re especially grateful to the Waukegan High School teachers who encouraged their students to participate in this nonpartisan voter registration event and issued hall passes so they could do so.
We also appreciate the warm welcome from Waukegan High School staff and administration, who set up our tables up right in front of the main office (and even provided our volunteers with a carafe of coffee). From that prime location, we were able to call out to students as they passed by and invite them to register if they met the age requirement.
By the end of the school day, we had registered more than 75 new voters, many of whom promised that they would show up and vote every time there’s an election. Thank you to all who made this such a successful event.
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It’s Not Too Soon to Apply for a Mail-in Ballot
If you’re a registered voter, the best way to make sure that you’re able to vote in the June 28 Primary Election is to request a mail-in ballot. And you can do that right now! Just go to the Lake County Voter Power website, and complete the online form.
Once you fill in your name, house number, and date of birth, you’ll get to the screen that has election information tailored to you. Clicking the first green button allows you to request your mail-in ballot for the June Primary Election.
Although ballots won’t be mailed until May 19, the date early in-person voting begins, once you’ve made the online request, you can relax, knowing your ballot will come to your home in plenty of time before the primary in June.
Miserable weather? A new COVID variant? With your mail-in ballot in hand nothing will stop you from making your voice heard at the ballot box.
Governor Pritzker Celebrates $1.8 Billion in Tax Relief
Gas, grocery, and property tax relief, more support for local government than ever before, a massive improvement in staffing for our nursing home residents, short- and long-term debt reduction, and a balanced budget for the fourth year in a row. More.
In Case You Missed It
Illinois Democrats join Biden in taking aim at specter of elusive ‘ghost guns’. The Illinois measure — which is on its way to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk — requires all firearms, including 3D-printed guns, to have serial numbers, which would effectively ban ghost guns. It’s the lack of those identifying numbers that has made the guns undetectable. Not one Republican voted for the bill.
Volunteer Spotlight
Lake Dems is grateful for our many active volunteers, including the following:
Ross Secler, an attorney who handles election law, has been a key part of our election protection training team for several years. He regularly conducts training on voters’ rights, how candidates can get on—and stay on—the ballot, campaign finance reporting, and other issues of critical importance to candidates and their campaign teams. These sessions play a significant role in ensuring that Democratic candidates can win in November.
Holiday Greetings
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Upcoming Events
Events below are taken from the complete list of Upcoming Events at LakeDems.org/events. Click here to submit your event.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13
Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association (IDCCA) 2022 Party Builder Awards Reception. 5:30-7pm, Chicago. More.
Lake Villa Township Dems April Meeting. 7-8:30pm, Lindenhurst, and on Zoom. More.
THURSDAY, APRIL 14
Deputy Voter Registrar Training in Waukegan. 3pm, Waukegan. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and registered to vote in Lake County. The event is open only to Lake County residents who are interested in helping to register new voters. More.
Fremont Township Democrats April Meeting. 6pm, Mundelein, and on Zoom. Food available for purchase. More.
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
Walk with Democrats in the Antioch Easter Parade. 10-11:30am, Antioch. Easter egg hunt follows the parade. More.
MONDAY, APRIL 18
Jane’s Army Presents “Ask the Experts – Plan B, the Abortion Pill, and Surgical Abortion.” 6-7pm on Zoom. Guest speakers Dr. Sobia Ansari, Khadine Bennett, and Dr. Alison Cowett. More.
TUESDAY, APRIL 19
Environmental Policy Discussion in Support of Supreme Court Justice Candidate Nancy Rotering. 5:30-6:30pm on Zoom. More.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20
Lauren Beth Gash Campaign Kickoff for Reelection as State Central Committeewoman. 5:30pm on Zoom. Special guests: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Brad Schneider, and Democratic Party of Illinois Chair/Congresswoman Robin Kelly. More.
How Do I Join Lake County Democrats?
Lake County Democrats is made up of people like you, people who are passionate about building better communities and a better world. We’re a grassroots political organization, working with Democrats in all parts of Lake County – from Antioch to Highland Park, Libertyville to Waukegan, Barrington to Zion. Become a member online now or send a check payable to Lake County Democrats to P.O. Box 671, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Questions? Contact info@lakedems.org.
