Above / Signs at the entrance to the upper parking deck at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street, are reminders that Early Voting is now in progress in advance of the Consolidated Election on April 6, 2021. Code enforcement has new rules regarding candidate campaign signs for 2021. Campaign signs can be displayed at polling places only during designated polling hours. Overnight display is not permitted. Signs up after hours will be removed by City employees. Thanks to candidates for cooperation.
Illinois Consolidated Election Day arrives on April 6, 2021. Meanwhile, early voting is underway, open every day except Easter Sunday at locations throughout Naperville until April 5. Click here for hours of a polling place near you.
As a traditionalist voter and creature of habit since my first-ever local election in 1969, my early votes will be cast on Election Day shortly after polls open at 6AM. That way, it’s likely all my chosen candidates still will be in the running. Further, Election Day voting allows observing choices and learning about candidates down to the last minute. Sometimes strange things happen during the final weeks of “Silly Season,” a term that has described frivolous antics of political campaigns since it appeared in a Saturday Review article way back in 1861.
What’s more, when we moved to Naperville in 1993, a trusted Naperville mayor explained her tactics for “multiple-winner elections” such as Naperville City Council. She explained she did not necessarily vote to fill all four open seats when more than four candidates were running.
Ever since, it’s been my personal policy to vote in local elections only for candidates I know or ones I’ve observed in active service. Unless I’ve researched a candidate to my satisfaction, determining if the individual is qualified with a skill set that will make the City Council, School District 204 Board of Education (We live in 204.) or Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners better, I might only vote for one, two or three candidates to fill four open seats. More than once, I’ve left votes for some elected offices completely blank.
In other words, many of my ballots have been submitted with “under-votes.” I under-vote when a candidate or two has yet to serve on a board or commission or does not share my core values, especially when four seats are up for election. I also will not vote to reelect an incumbent that doesn’t appear prepared for public meetings.
Recently, I shared my voting strategy with other individuals during a Zoom meeting. One viewer wondered if I were sure my under-voted ballots had counted, suggesting that my less than completed ballots might have been null and void.
Confident my ballot always has counted, I got to thinking. What if the mayor’s advice had been wrong all those years ago?
I searched online for a definitive answer that every under-vote is counted. I read that in elections when a voter can cast multiple votes, the voting strategy known as under-voting (a.k.a. bullet voting) can make a difference.
‘Under-voting’ counts / ‘Over-voting’ is disqualified
Next, to be absolutely sure, I contacted Jean Kaczmarek, DuPage County Clerk, for an official response.
On March 22, 2021, Kaczmarek replied via email.
“I greatly appreciate that your organization has been promoting Early Voting sites in Naperville and building awareness for the April 6 Consolidated Election. Thank you.
“Our purpose in the County Clerk’s office is to administer elections. In doing so, we remain neutral. We do not encourage or even explain tactics which may give a candidate or candidates an advantage.
“It is a voter’s choice on whether or not to vote for a candidate or candidates for a given office. If a voter chooses to leave a given office blank or to vote for smaller number of choices allowed, the ballot will still be valid and counted.” (The underscore was provided by the County Clerk.)
Kaczmarek continued, “I should add that if a voter votes for more candidates than what is allowed for a given office, that vote will be cancelled out and not voted… Only that vote (not the entire ballot) will be cancelled if there is an “overvote.”
All of us at PN appreciate the clarification. Under-voting counts.
One more thing: From past voting experience, we recall that the Consolidated Election ballot includes a notation such as “Vote for not more than four” when a candidate list is long. For instance, 11 candidates currently are running for one of the four 4-year seats up for election on the Naperville City Council.
—Positively Naperville
Get to know all candidates
Naperville City Council
City of Naperville Mission: To provide services that ensure a high quality of life, sound fiscal management, and a dynamic business environment, while creating an inclusive community that values diversity.
Eleven (11) candidates are running to serve one of the four 4-year seats up for election on the 9-member Naperville City Council that includes the mayor. Candidates in ballot order are Paul Leong, John Krummen, Vasavi Chakka, James Haselhorst, Ian Holzhauer, Jennifer Bruzan Taylor, Allison Longenbaugh, Vincent Ory, Lucy Chang Evans, Mark Urda and Benny White. Note: The next mayoral election is 2023.
Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners
Naperville Park District Mission: We provide recreation and park experiences that promote healthy lives, healthy minds and a healthy community.
The following eight (8) hopefuls filed petitions to run for one of the four 4-year seats on the 7-member Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners: Lee Kaseska, Nag Jaiswal, Mary Gibson, Leslie Ruffing, Rhonda Ansier, Alison Thompson, Nathan Wilson and Mike King.
Naperville School District 203 Board of Education
Mission Statement: Our mission is to educate students to be self-directed learners, collaborative workers, complex thinkers, quality producers, and community contributors.
Nine (9) hopefuls are running to serve one of four 4-year seats on the School District 203 Board of Education. They are Donna E. Wandke, Kristin W. Fitzgerald, Amanda McMillen, Charles Cush, Christi Helm, Thomas Andrew Binkowski, Robert M. Reed, Adam Russo and William Bernard Eagan, III.
Indian Prairie School District 204 Board of Education
Mission Statement: The mission of Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 is to inspire all students to achieve their greatest potential.
Eleven (11) candidates have filed for one of the four 4-year seats on the School District 204 Board of Education: Marina Kosak, Saba Haider, Allison Fosdick, Rajesh Narayan, Kader Sakkaria, Laurie Donahue, Supna C. Jain, Shannon Adcock, Yanmei May Liang, Susan Taylor-Demming and Robert O. Harris.
College of DuPage Board of Trustees
Mission Statement: The mission of College of DuPage is to be a center for excellence in teaching, learning, and cultural experiences by providing accessible, affordable, and comprehensive education.
Eight (8) candidates have filed for three (3) seats on the Board of Trustees. All seats are for full six-year terms. Candidates and their city of residence are Florence Appel, Lombard; Heidi Holan, Glen Ellyn; Don Potoczny, Naperville; Sheng “Texä” Sun, Lisle; Andrew Richard Manno, Aurora; Daniel Malloy, LaGrange; Nick Howard, Glen Ellyn; Deborah Sajdak, Glen Ellyn.
Six Townships serve Naperville
Click here for a link to the DuPage County list of write-in candidates.
Naperville Township / DuPage County
Mission Statement: We are committed to listening to and evaluating the needs of the public and shall provide services, which are responsive to the health, safety and general welfare of the entire township.
Naperville Township Supervisor (Vote for 1) Lynda Segneri, Republican; Eddie G. Bedford, Democratic.
Naperville Township Clerk (Vote for 1) Barbara Lukoff, Republican; Nathanael Sippel, Democratic.
Naperville Township Assessor (Vote for 1) Matthew R. Rasche, Republican; Gary J. Vician, Republican (No Candidate, Democratic)
Naperville Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Paul J. Santucci, Republican; Thomas J. Laz, Republican; Gabby Serna, Republican; Bill Breyne, Republican; Loretta T. Burke, Democratic; John C. Waller, Democratic; Julie Federico, Democratic.
Lisle Township / DuPage County
Lisle Township / It is our duty to use your tax dollars wisely and in the most cost efficient manner possible. The Township fills a specific need within our communities that other units of government – like cities, villages, the County and State – do not.
Lisle Township Supervisor (Vote for 1) Robert J. Klaeren II, Republican; Diane Hewitt, Democratic.
Lisle Township Clerk (Vote for 1) Debbie Pawlowicz, Republican; Claire Goldenberg, Democratic.
Lisle Township Assessor (Vote for 1) John D. Trowbridge II, Republican; No Candidate, Democratic.
Lisle Township Highway Commissioner (Vote for 1) Ed Young, Republican; Andrew E. (Drew) Bolda, Democratic.
Lisle Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Anthony “Tony” Signorella, Republican; Kitty Murphy, Republican; Christy McGovern, Republican; Scott M. Silver, Republican; John DeCanto, Democratic; Lisa M. Rose, Democratic; Jean Page, Democratic; Autumn Geist, Democratic.
Milton Township / DuPage County
Mission Statement / The purpose of the Milton Township S.A.L.T. Council is to determine and meet the needs of senior citizens by reducing crime and abuse and enhancing safety through communication and education in cooperation with the Township, law enforcement, and other community agencies and organizations.
Milton Township Supervisor (Vote for 1) Stephen Siemer, Democratic; John Monino, Republican.
Milton Township Clerk (Vote for 1) Elizabeth F. Higgins-Beard, Democratic; Nick Nathwani, Republican.
Milton Township Assessor (Vote for 1) No Candidate, Democratic; Chris E. LeVan, Republican.
Milton Township Highway Commissioner (Vote for 1) No Candidate, Democratic; Gary Muehlfelt. Republican.
Milton Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Larry Pitts, Democratic; Susan Cain, Democratic; Bruce C. Fogerty, Democratic; Paul Mansour, Democratic; Dan Milinko, Republican; Jeff Castle, Republican; Drew Ellis, Republican; Joe Soto, Republican.
Winfield Township / DuPage County
Winfield Township Supervisor (Vote for 1) Nicole Prater, Republican; Maury Goodman, Democratic.
Winfield Township Clerk (Vote for 1) Michael W. Guglielmi, Republican; No Candidate, Democratic.
Winfield Township Assessor (Vote for 1) Mark Malay, Republican; No Candidate, Democratic.
Winfield Township Highway Commissioner (Vote for 1) John S. Dusza, Republican; No Candidate, Democratic.
Winfield Township Trustee (Vote for not more than 4) Barbara C. Bernacki Alekna, Republican; Zachary E. Halley, Republican; Michael Konewko, Republican; Donald R. Voelz, Republican; Shawn Patrick Hacker, Democratic; Judith M. Lukas, Democratic.
DuPage Township / Will County
Mission Statement / DuPage Township in partnership with the community, and through the efforts of dedicated employees and elected officials, will provide township services in an efficient and effective manner in order to preserve and enhance the quality of life for our residents. We are committed to evaluating the needs of the public and shall provide services, which are responsive to the health, safety and general welfare of the community.
DuPage Supervisor (Vote for 1) Alyssia Benford, Republican; Gary Marschke, Democratic.
DuPage Clerk (Vote for 1) Deborah Williams, Republican; Barbara Ann Parker, Democratic.
DuPage Assessor (Vote for 1) Jean Kelly, Republican; Kenneth Harris, Democratic.
DuPage Collector (Vote for 1) Enrique Luis Veguilla, Republican; Monty C. Jackson, Democratic.
Trustee (Vote for 4) Monte Larrick, Republican; Dennis R. Raga, Republican; Antonio Luis Timothee, Republican; Teaquicia (Tea) Ward, Republican; Thomas E. Braxton, Democratic; Debra “Debi” Savage, Democratic; Reem Townsend, Democratic; Terri Ransom, Democratic.
Wheatland Township / Will County
Wheatland Township Commitment / It is the elected board’s commitment to honest, respectable, and transparent governance for the people of this Wheatland Township.
Wheatland Supervisor (Vote for 1) Jeff Kohl, Republican; Michael Crowner, Democratic.
Wheatland Clerk (Vote for 1) Jacab Snitko, Republican; Anita S. Liskey, Democratic.
Wheatland Assessor (Vote for 1) Chuck Kern, Republican.
Wheatland Highway Commissioner (Vote for 1) Bill Alstrom, Republican; Thomas Wieser, Democratic.
Wheatland Collector (Vote for 1) David J. Scriven-Young, Republican; Arian Ahmadpour, Democratic.
Wheatland Trustee (Vote For 4) Gregory C. Nichols, Republican; Colleen M. Rotkis, Republican; Wendell Harkins, Republican; Meghna Bansal, Republican; Kelly Hickey, Democratic; Khadija Sufi, Democratic; Terry Jones, Democratic; Steven Baun, Democratic.
A reader called our attention to the DuPage County list of write-in candidates, now available here on the DuPage County website.
Click here to link to City Council, School Board and Park Board Candidate Profiles on the 2021 Election Guide available on this website. Website links throughout this page have been linked upon request. (Assumptions are not made that candidates wish to be linked.) Requests to be included are welcome and appreciated. Consolidated Election Day, April 6, 2021, will be here before you know it. Thanks for being informed.
Again…Local elections matter most…
Be prepared to vote where it matters most—locally. Vote where you can meet, greet and get to know candidates who make decisions with the biggest impact on Naperville—including budgets supported by local taxes. Become familiar with elected officials up close, whenever possible, practicing local protocols. Thank you.
Remember! Follow local protocols to remain safe. Wear a mask. Keep your distance. Wash your hands often, but never, ever wash away your commonsense.
Thanks for reading and paying attention. Examine skill sets of all the hopefuls who aim to serve. Talk with other residents about the upcoming election. This page will be updated during this final stretch of the campaign season. Remember to vote by 7PM on Election Day, Tues., April 6!
Last Updated, March 25, 2021
