Women and Youth Drive Voter Turnout, Abortion and CPS Board Top Issues
Voter turnout in Chicago was high again in a presidential election, with women and youth driving the numbers. According to Max Bever, public information director for the Chicago Board of Elections, turnout was on track to be around 70%, with over 1 million eligible voters casting their ballots on or before Tuesday.
There has been quite a bit of movement today, which is different from some of our quieter recent elections," Bever said during a midday news conference. "We always have a great turnout in presidential elections."
Turnout was highest among voters ages 25 to 34, with the next age group with high turnout being residents ages 35 to 44. Voters ages 18 to 24 had the lowest turnout. Women were on track to cast the most votes, according to election board data.
While lines did not reach the lengths seen at early voting sites, several precincts experienced some long waits on Tuesday.
Key Issues on the Minds of Voters
In making their choice for president, voters told the Sun-Times they were concerned about several issues, including reproductive rights, the economy, and immigration.
Several residents also said they were excited to vote in Chicago’s first school board race.
Concerns about Reproductive Rights
Danielle Barnes, 36, cast her ballot on the Near West Side for both herself and her 5-month-old daughter. "She can’t [vote] yet, so I’ll do it," Barnes said. She stressed that her main concern was bodily autonomy, whether that meant reproductive health or freedom for the LGBTQ+ community. "It should be a woman’s choice what to do with her body," Barnes said. "A man shouldn’t be able to make that decision for her. … The same goes for the LGBTQ+ community: they should be able to be free to do what they want with their lives."
Concerns about the Economy
Avondale resident Ellen Cannon has always voted Democratic. But that changed when she voted for former President Donald Trump. "If I had known four or eight years ago that I would vote for Trump, I would be surprised," she said. "Abortion used to be one of my top concerns, but I’m disappointed that Democrats didn’t enshrine the right to choose nationally when they had the chance. Foreign policy was the main reason for my vote. ‘I’m tired of all these wars we’ve gotten into,’ Cannon said."
Concerns about the Chicago Public Schools Board
After a decades-long fight for an elected school board, voters have for the first time had a say in who will represent them on the Chicago Board of Education.
For Karen Herbert, a parent and Chicago Public Schools teacher, many aspects of this choice are personal. "I’m lucky my school has what it takes," she said. "But after sending three children to CPS, I said, ‘There is a lack of equity in some of these schools… A school on this street doesn’t get the resources that a school on the North Side or Hyde Park gets.’"
Conclusion
The 2024 presidential election saw high voter turnout in Chicago, with women and youth driving the numbers. Abortion, the economy, and the Chicago Public Schools Board were among the top issues on the minds of voters. As the city continues to evolve, it is crucial that the voices of its residents are heard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the voter turnout in Chicago in the 2024 presidential election?
A: Voter turnout was on track to be around 70%, with over 1 million eligible voters casting their ballots on or before Tuesday.
Q: Which age group had the highest turnout?
A: Voters ages 25 to 34 had the highest turnout.
Q: Which age group had the lowest turnout?
A: Voters ages 18 to 24 had the lowest turnout.
Q: Which demographic was on track to cast the most votes?
A: Women were on track to cast the most votes.
