'Shockingly low turnout' during Tuesday's primary election in Chicago

[former9thward]

Tuesday is expected to go down in Chicago history as the lowest voter turnout for a presidential primary since data has been kept.

"I sure wish I had some better news looking at the numbers, but we are looking at a shockingly low turnout," Max Bever of the Chicago Board of Elections told reporters Tuesday afternoon.

By the end of the night, turnout had reached 22.56%, out of about 1.5 million registered voters.

Voters sent Mayor Brandon Johnson's "mansion tax" homeless initiative to a crushing defeat 56%-44%.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2024/03/19/low-turnout-chicago-2024-primary-election

[flying_wahini]

1. Wtf Chicago.

That’s very disappointing. We can do better than that.

[JohnSJ]

2. We had extremely low voter turnout here in California in the March primary. I expressed concern

but was rationalized by some was that it was a primary where the outcome was already known.

The problem with that reasoning, especially here in California, is that there were other issues on the ballot than just political offices and California goes out of there way to make voting so easy. They have multiple ways to register, from online registration to when you go get your driver's license, vote by mail, where they send registered voters a postage paid ballot, send a confirmation by phone and or email when your vote has been received and counted, and count ALL ballots as long as they are postmarked on election day.

Absolutely no excuse not to vote.

When Katie Porter was unhappy with the results of her primary, the low turnout of young people I suspect was a contributing factor.

[padah513]

3. I believe it was because the nomination is already a lock.

Not a good look though.

[dutch777]

4. This was noticeable in many of the primaries. As the result seems foregone, decreases interest...

...at least for the Presidential candidates. I worry more about getting support for down ballot candidates.

[LuvLoogie]

5. I don't know if Mayor Johnson is enough of a mover

He doesn't seem to engage enough. He isn't setting up the dominoes. Starting small, building relationships that will help get his ideas through.

[Ace Rothstein]

6. He seems like he's in way over his head.

His 21% approval reflects that as well.

[LuvLoogie]

7. Yeah, and he needed to start right away to overcome that.

It's probably too late in his term to turn it around.

(He's probably too old now, but Danny Davis could do the job.)

Mayor Johnson needs to shake more hands and kiss more babies

[LakeArenal]

8. I am guessing everyone is pretty much decided.

The choice is so clear. The line to vote can be long.

I think it’s a calm before the Nov storm.

Also, I think trump is his own worst enemy at this point. Aiding any undecided to a decision.

[former9thward]

10. People had a month to vote.

No lines. There were many contested races on the Democratic ballot.

[LakeArenal]

11. Okay you find it worrisome. I don't.

[kacekwl]

9. Constantly heard on the news

from people affected by crime in one way or another is "something has to be done about crime, robbery, murder, guns etc." But the same people can't seem to take the time to do the simplest thing and vote. If you don't vote I want to hear nothing from you.