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 Illinois’ 2022 general election was the most
contested in the past two decades, with 3.8 million Illinoisans voting in 79
competitive House elections.
Voter turnout reached the second-highest level for a gubernatorial general
election since 1998. Research shows more competitive elections increase voter
participation, with contested races drawing 7% more voters to the polls.
Illinois Policy’s Full Slate initiative succeeded in giving Illinoisans a choice
in 30 more House district races and two Senate races by providing prospective
candidates from all parties with the tools to run for statewide office.
With roughly half of Illinoisans living in districts that averaged only one
major party candidate on the ballot during the past 22 years, more voters had a
choice in 2022 elections. Over 900,000 voters had choices that they otherwise
might not have without the project.
Full Slate candidate Alper Turan ran for House District 13, which includes the
Lincoln Square area of Chicago. Despite being defeated by his Democratic rival,
Turan said he’s proud he campaigned and gave voters in his district a choice.
“I teach political science and I always tell my students: ‘Everybody is
responsible,’” he said.
Turan was a refugee from Iran, where he said there were no freedoms. He waited
years in a refugee camp for an opening to come to the U.S., worked a factory job
and pursued his education until he became an adjunct professor at Truman
College.
“If you’re living in this district, this city, this state or this country, you
have rights and responsibilities,” Turan said. “This responsibility is not just
for you, but your kids and your grandkids, your brothers and sisters, and all
families. That’s why I decided to run.”
The voter choice initiative helped Turan and 29 other House candidates, plus two
Senate candidates, campaign and win their primaries in June to be on the ballot
this November. The Chicago Tribune endorsed 10 of those House candidates for
office.
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Many theories of democracy emphasize voters’ ability to reward or punish elected
officials by extending or ending their political careers. If many
representatives run unopposed and voter participation isn’t widespread,
government accountability can be undermined.
Choice in elections also matters because evidence suggests uncontested and
lightly contested elections tend to skew policy in favor of powerful
special-interest groups at the expense of everyone else. This is because low
voter participation makes legislators more susceptible to the influence of
lobbyists rather than prioritizing service to constituents.
“I wasn’t expecting to win, but at least I helped other voices be heard,” Turan
said. “If no one is challenging these ideas, voters are only gonna hear what the
majority has to say.”
Ballot choice has been lower in Chicago, which during the past decade included
33 of Illinois’ 57 historically uncontested House districts. Those uncompetitive
districts were home to more than twice the share of Black and Hispanic residents
and reported lower levels of educational attainment, income and job
opportunities for voters.
Additionally, research shows more competitive elections reduce levels of public
corruption. Corruption costs Illinois’ economy an estimated $556 million per
year.
Making Illinois’ Statehouse races more competitive and encouraging more
Illinoisans to vote will keep lawmakers more accountable to their communities
than to special interests. This will ensure Illinois’ most vulnerable
communities have truer representation in Springfield.
“People still believe they can kick this can as much as they want and someday,
they’re going to get a different sound from it. But it’s the same can, and the
same road,” Turan said. “Voters are doing the same thing over and over expecting
different results.”
“Just like your home, you can’t just sit down and watch your roof collapse.
You’re living under it,” he said. “That’s why everyone is responsible, and
everyone has to do something.”
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