Despite relatively low voter turnout in past municipal elections, Oak Park candidates are encouraging eligible residents to cast their ballots in the April 1 consolidated election.
In 2023, 40,359 residents in Oak Park were registered to vote. But only 7,327 ballots were cast. That means only about 18% of voters chose the fate of the village, at least until the next election cycle. That 18% alone chose the next village trustees, library trustees, park district commissioners and school board members.
And in instances where voters could choose multiple candidates, like in the 2023 Oak Park village trustee election, not every voter did. For example, voters could choose three out of five candidates for the village trustee position in 2023. Only 20,308 votes were cast. If all 7,327 ballots cast had chosen three candidates, 21,981 votes would have been cast.
In 2021, turnout was slightly higher. At the time, 40,620 residents were registered voters, but only 12,089 ballots were cast. In 2019, 39,705 voters were registered in Oak Park. Only 9,151 ballots were cast.
To have a healthy democracy where everyone’s voice is heard, high voter turnout is essential. Fair Vote, a nonpartisan organization that researches voting reforms, attributes low turnout to political disengagement and belief that voting for certain candidates won’t do much to bring about real change.
And Oak Park isn’t unique in its relatively low voter turnout. In the United States, only about 60% of eligible voters show up for presidential elections. In 2024, about 64% of eligible voters cast a ballot.
Oak Park candidates for the upcoming village board elections expressed a communal desire to see high local voter turnout in the April election. Residents can read Wednesday Journal to learn how to register to vote, how to vote early and how to prepare for Election Day.
Trustee Lucia Robinson, running for reelection, said a big piece of encouraging voter turnout is reminding people when to vote and explaining where to vote, clearly and repeatedly. In Oak Park, residents can vote early at Village Hall or on Election Day at their designated polling place.
“People get busy,” she said. “It’s not like the national presidential election.”
Joshua Vanderberg, running for village trustee, said people can tend to disengage from local politics and that’s why he works hard to get information out to the public independently. He said he wants to help residents understand who is responsible for decisions to help get voters engaged.
James “Jim” Taglia, running for village trustee, said low voter turnout might partially be due to frustration with the government or lack of trust in it. He said he wants people to believe in their trustees and to continue to work with residents to solve problems.
Trustee Chibuike Enyia, also running for reelection, added that he’s encouraging voter turnout by reminding residents how local elections directly impact their lives.
“Decisions made here—on housing, public safety, sustainability, and more—shape our community in ways national elections often don’t,” Enyia told Wednesday Journal.
Trustee Ravi Parakkat, running for village president, agreed that showing voters why their vote matters in local decisions can help drive turnout.
“Raising awareness about what’s at stake in this election and how voting can drive positive change is crucial to increase voter turnout,” he told Wednesday Journal. “For example, the proposed but unnecessary $150+ million tax-funded Village Hall project impacts us all. It threatens affordability, inclusivity, and community safety. This kind of reckless spending will price many out of Oak Park. We must act now to ensure our village remains a place where everyone can thrive.”
And Village President Vicki Scaman, also running for reelection, pointed out that local elections allow individuals to directly influence the community for a positive future.
“Your vote communicates your values and has the power to unsure local government is responsive and protective of human rights and the needs of its residents,” she told Wednesday Journal. “In these nationally divisive times it is that much more important to vote in local elections and to trust in Oak Park for a stronger example of truth, love for democracy, preserving vibrancy in our diversity, and equality so that all have what they need to live and thrive.”
