Oak Park is being asked, in these pages, whether it is for or against the proposed zoning change that would allow four- to six-unit apartments on every lot in most residential neighborhoods. I’m glad people are talking about it. But an online survey is not a vote, and it should not stand in for one.
Anyone can answer an anonymous online poll. It doesn’t check that you live in Oak Park or are a registered voter. It doesn’t stop one person from voting 10 times, or an organized group from voting 100 times. It measures who was motivated to click, not what Oak Park thinks, and either side could tilt it without anyone knowing.
The village’s own survey had 215 completed responses, in a village of about 53,000 people. Its website visitor figures never say whether they count people, households or browser sessions.
There is a real way to find out what Oak Park thinks: a referendum. Registered voters who live here would vote for or against, once each, with a count anyone can check. Both sides would make their case in public, and the result would carry a legitimacy no survey can.
The village board voted not to put the question to a referendum. I think that was a mistake. If the board believes residents’ opinion doesn’t decide this question, it should say so plainly. If it believes public support matters, and the way this ordinance has been presented suggests it does, then support should be measured the one way that is fair and verifiable.
Either voters’ views matter, in which case we should be asked on a ballot, or they don’t, in which case no poll, anonymous or otherwise, should be used to claim a mandate.
This decision will change our neighborhoods irreversibly. We should be allowed to vote on it properly.
Sanjay Shivpuri
Oak Park
