While lamenting, as we all do, low voter turnout, my own political experience sees Illinois as a strong two-party system, uniquely differentiated between upstate (Cook County, blue) and downstate (below I-80, red). Currently DuPage County, once a Republican stronghold, more recently represents a more balanced participation by the two parties.
Nationally there will be similar analysis where the bottom line is either single-party or two-party control. To see a third party as a viable competitor nationally brings to mind Ralph Nader’s 2000 campaign, which went nowhere. In foreign countries, what we might think of as third parties are really coalitions of various factions, with major funding and political views dominating more than just one, two or three parties. That is not the situation in the U.S.
Illinois had some success with what may have been called a Third Party in the ’60s and ’70s in the form of an Independent faction, which simply represented a minority of politically active people in the midst of a two-party system. A unique voting system enabled Independent candidates to garner seats in the House of Representatives. Such was the case with Independents actually being, for all practical purposes, the real Democrats in Cook County, rather than machine-controlled. Those victories upstate were at the expense of Republican candidates (who generally speaking were not really Republican, but were picked by the machine to hold a seat) and likewise downstate where Republicans faced the loss of seats to Independent candidates. However, that no longer exists. It was only possible with a unique voting system, thanks to Gov. Pat Quinn, the League of Women Voters, and ignorance as to who was really behind getting rid of that voting system (the two established parties).
All of which is my foundation to address Mr. Harrington’s well-intentioned idea of bringing uninvolved voters to the polls. The success of the Independent movement was remarkably well funded, not only financially but by the great enthusiasm of a class of voters who were already politically involved, but had been unsuccessful.
I believe the majority of people who do not vote these days, do not vote because they are looking for a strong candidate, whether Republican, Democratic or Third Party, but because they believe their vote cannot make a difference. They view all politicians, no matter what they label themselves, corrupt. Yet these are, of course, the first people who stay silent when a good candidate comes along.
In today’s tragic political environment, the only realistic option is to vote for the least detrimental alternative candidate, whether Red or Blue.
In summary, Mr. Harrington raises the hope that there exists a large number of voters who would come forth if only the right candidate showed up. I do not believe it is supported by the facts as to why people vote or do not vote. Too many people are simply not paying attention, do not become informed or involved, and do not recognize the occasional qualified candidate in either party who comes along and runs an honest campaign, as opposed to simply telling potential voters what they want to hear, which usually includes lowering taxes, reducing crime, and eliminating government waste.
While the majority of non-voting people are among the first to complain, they do nothing even when presented with opportunities to become politically active.
Bob Downs is a longtime, politically active Oak Park resident.