Why Did You Vote Today?

Why did you vote today?

Voters in Wheaton said they chose who to support based on issues with the economy, jobs women’s rights, corruption and local leadership.

State Constitutional Amendment

Until today, Wheaton resident Jennifer Flynn has boycotted the polls since Al Gore was on the ballot.

A former Hillside firefighter who retired in 2009 due to an injury she sustained in the line of duty, Flynn said she has a particular interest in the proposed amendment to the Illinois constitution that would require a three-fifths majority for any government body to change its pension system.

“Obviously I don’t want them messing with my pension since I can’t work,” she said.

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Both conservative and liberal lobbying groups have lined up against this amendment, saying it's bad policy and doesn't address the problems with the state's pension burdens.

“I’m actually very liberal but I voted for Romney,” she said. “Barack has had four years to change things and he hasn’t done it.”

Women’s Rights

Selina Kuch said the most important issue to her this year is women’s rights—and the idea of having a Mormon president was a “deal breaker” for Romney.

“I don’t think people really grasp the concept of what that means (being Mormon),” Kuch said. “The Mormon Church is frightening to me, and they kind of keep women subservient and that’s not cool."

Kuch added she thinks there should be limits on candidate spending. “Billions of dollars are being spent everyday and people are losing their houses. The whole political machine—it’s disgusting, you know?"

Economy

Hui Li said the major issue to him is the economy, and that he doesn’t like how taxes would be cut for the rich.

Flynn said she thinks Romney will have better handle on improving the economy and creating jobs than Obama.

The national election has been so close in the past, that anyone with an opinion should get out and vote, said Wheaton resident Jeff Elbel.

He added, “It’s important to cover all the local elections… that (directly) effect us here in the community.”

DuPage County question: “Should Illinois law permit an individual to hold two or more public elected offices simultaneously?”

Elbel said he believes people should hold one position at a time. “It helps to maintain a balanced perspective if people holding those (positions) are still working in the community,” he said. He added it also helps to avoid conflicts of interest.

By about 2 p.m. Tuesday, election judges in Wheaton had seen solid waves of voters at the polls—from a third to half of the registered voters in that area.

At St. Paul Lutheran Church, 515 Wheaton Ave., judge Andrew Walton said about 500 people of 1,400 in two precincts had already voted.

At the Wheaton Park District Community Center, judge Alicia Bermann said she had seen similar numbers, and that voter turnout this year has been stronger than in past elections.

“It was packed this morning,” Bermann said. She added she expected to see more absentee ballots from the precinct, but only received 101 votes.

Karen Diersen at the District 200 School Services Center said about half the registered voters had voted before 2 p.m.

Patch asked readers on the Wheaton Patch Facebook page why they voted today. Here is what one said (we will add to this list if we receive additional comments):

• Brian said, "Healthcare and the continuing promise to cover the 40 million Americans who have little access; wealth inequality and the need for a more equitable tax code; global climate change."

For more information on local candidates and races, go to Patch’s Voter Guide, then tune in at 7 p.m. as we live blog the election results.

Why did you vote today? Tell us in the comments below.