Elections for Chicago Mayor, City Treasurer, City Clerk and aldermen were held on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, and approximately 41% of registered voters came out to vote.  That was fewer than the guestimated 50%.

I have to be honest. I was totally conflicted about who to select for mayor up until I entered the election booth.  And even then, I made my selection based on ini-miny-miny-mo.  Personally, I really don’t feel that any of them were qualified to lead me, even our newly-elected mayor.  My feelings are not based on what their qualifications look like on paper (I’m a writer who fluff up stories all the time), but on platform.  None of the candidates really spoke to me about my needs and those of my community. And after awhile I just stopped listening.

As for the Aldermanic race, my decision was based on who shared information in detail on their websites.  Of the five candidates running in my ward, only two had websites and promotional materials.  This was challenging, too.  I am aware of the accomplishments of my current alderman, but it’s hard to vote for people you don’t see in the community. Yeah, I can go to his office to get my needs addressed – which I do, but a bigger community presence is needed.  This will not only help people know who he is, which is partly why people did not turn out; it will also help boost their confidence that he is for the community and not for the $110,000 salary.  Well, it would at least look like he cares.

Lastly, for all of the unemployed people who voted, it’s time to make these people accountable for what they say they are going to do.  Starting with jobs.  And for those of you who did not vote and want to complain – Don’t. Your vote is your voice and you opted not to say anything.

What are your thoughts? What were your experiences at the polls on Tuesday?

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