70 Members from across Cook County met to review the 23-24 year and plan for the 24-25 year.
Highlights of the Meeting
LWVIL President Becky Simon reminded the group of the League legacy of action and accomplishment and how critical our work is for this upcoming election.
Interest Groups highlighted impactful actions this past year: monitoring the implementation of the Safe-T Act; campaigning for special elections for vacancies over 28 months; monitoring of ARPA programs and Forest Preserve funds.
Diane Edmundsen and Karin Hribar were recognized for their significant contributions to the Cook County League
New Directors Victoria Cerinich and Sue Gregory were elected to the Board. VP Kathi Graffam, Secretary Carolyn Consentino, and Director Betty Hayford were elected to another term. The new Nominating Committee will be chaired by Ann Yoshida with member Diane Hodges.
Attendees at the May 13 League of Women Voters of Cook County Annual Meeting were privileged to hear a positive report on the secure and sound operations of voting from two key officials: Edward Michalowski, Cook County Deputy Clerk for Elections and Marisel Hernandez, Chair of the Chicago Board of Elections. The discussion was moderated by LWVCC Vice-President Pris Mims who asked several questions developed by the Voter Service Committee, and then welcomed questions from League members.
Pris introduced the speakers by reminding the audience that election responsibilities in Cook County are divided between the elected County Clerk and the Chicago Board of Elections. The Clerk’s office is funded by Cook County property taxes, while the Chicago Board is funded in part by Cook County taxes and in part by the City of Chicago.
The initial questions examined election security, and both speakers emphasized that the procedures include multiple checks and the technology is secure. Hernandez emphasized that all machine records have paper back-up and the technology is encrypted and can not be hacked. Both bodies do retabulation (audit) checks on 5% of the vote. Different procedures prevent anyone from voting twice, and signatures are checked and can be updated.
The speakers explained the process of counting mail-in ballots for the very close 2023 States’ Attorney Democratic primary which required two weeks, as state law allows, to record all mail-in ballots. Michalowski pointed out that voters abroad, especially armed forces members, may need that grace period. Both candidates observed the voting and the counting and praised the process.
The two officials said that they are committed to working together closely, and making it easier for voters to understand the two reporting systems. Each expressed commitment to educating the public, and thanked the League for circulating election information and recruiting election judges. They acknowledged some voter confusion when precincts are moved or closed, but said closing some precincts is necessary as more people vote by mail or vote early.
Attendees asked about signature cards as young people no longer learn cursive writing, management of voter rolls to accommodate moving or deaths, budgets and concerns about disruptions around the November 2024 election. They received comprehensive answers reinforcing the view that both these bodies are managed with competence, skill and careful management. However, many league members were dismayed to hear that the County Clerk’s office, working with a state wide committee, has concluded that Ranked Choice Voting(RCV) is not permitted under Illinois law. Evanston has already adopted RCV and other communities are planning referenda.
Pris introduced the meeting asking for a moment of silence to remember recently deceased County Clerk Karen Yarborough, who held many elected offices, including Illinois legislator and Cook County Recorder of Deeds, as well as Clerk.
Save the Date Tuesday August 13 Food For Thought Luncheon Speaker: State's Attorney Kim Foxx
DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson, DePaul Club Room, 11:30 am - 1pm Registration details to follow
The League of Women Voters of Cook County encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government by:
Working together to learn about Cook County, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, Cook County Health, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Being nonpartisan: we do not support political parties or candidates
Observing Cook County Government entities' meetings and reporting on actions in our Observer Reports
Advocating for change to make government more effective