Update, March 5, 2024 / It’s Super Tuesday, the date when more than a dozen states, including California and Texas, are holding primaries. By the end of March, primary elections will have taken place that include well over 50 percent of each party’s delegates. Remember the Illinois Primary is Tues., March 19. Polls will be open from 6AM to 7PM. Mail-in Voting and Early Voting are now in progress. Thanks for being informed well in advance of the 2024 Presidential Election on Tues., Nov. 5.
Update, Feb. 21, 2024 / So far, the Primary Campaign in Naperville appears to be less than chock full of enthusiasm except possibly for candidates running for Congress in the 11th District. Otherwise, few candidates on the ballot need primary election votes by March 19 in order to advance to the General Election on Nov. 5.
That said, with so few challengers, energy to inspire PN also finds itself on the back burner, hopefully to be ignited by the General Presidential Election on Tues., Nov. 5, 2024. And you thought it was the 2024 Leap Year that made February seem so long.
Be mindful that U.S. Senators in Illinois are not up for reelection to their six-year terms. Challengers for Congressional seats are few and far between. Yet, it’s encouraging that at least one candidate is running to serve Democratic and Republican seats listed on the ballot.
Considering all other races, uncontested primary races are not listed below. Also not listed are opportunities to vote for presidential delegates since a number of presidential candidates have suspended their races.
Yet, Congressional races need your primary vote now and by March 19, 2024, in order to send the best-qualified leadership to Washington, D.C.
In the 6th Congressional District, Democratic Congressman Sean Casten is being challenged by Mahnoor Ahmad as well as Charles Hughes. Niki Conforti is the Republican candidate for Illinois’ 6th District.
In the 11th Congressional District, Democrat incumbent Bill Foster is being challenged by Qasim Rashid. Republican ballot choices are Susan Hathaway-Altman, Jerry Evans and Kent Mercado.
In the 14th Congressional District, Democrat incumbent Lauren Underwood is running again. Her Republican ballot challenger in November will be either Charlie Kim or James Marter.
Voters are advised do a little homework about judges, too.
The First Appellate Court District Democratic candidates are Celia G. Gamrath and Leonard Murray.
The Third Appellate Court District is one of five districts serving north/central counties in Illinois. District 3 is composed of DuPage, Will, Bureau, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, and LaSalle counties. Two candidates, John Anderson and Joe Hettel are vying for a place on the Democratic ballot. Republican Judge Kenton Skarin (currently serving the Illinois 18th Judicial Circuit) is running unopposed.
Will County Board District 10 / Democrats running are Meta Mueller and Kelly Hickey. Republicans are David J. Scriven-Young and Julie Berkowicz.
As for ballot questions, none for Naperville is listed on the DuPage County ballot or the Will County ballot.
For President of the United States, the Democrat ballot lists four candidates. The Republican ballot lists five, three of whom have suspended their candidacies.
Kindly note, because of candidates’ withdrawing from the race, it’s been tough for this publication to promote expanded Early Voting as the best practice for casting ballots. We recall times (and the wrath received from many early voters who claimed they’d “wasted their votes”) when candidates have withdrawn and/or suspended their races after Early Voting had begun.
Remember: Super Tuesday is March 5, 2024, the date when more than a dozen states, including California and Texas, will hold primaries. By the end of March, primary elections will have taken place that include well over 50 percent of each party’s delegates.
Note: Candidate data was taken from Illinois State Board of Elections as well as election info on websites in DuPage and Will counties. Any omissions or errors are not intended. Candidate websites are linked only upon request.
—PN
‘Get to know’ candidates opportunities
7PM Wed., Feb. 28, 2024 – ZOOM / Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Foster will face opponent Qasim Rashid in the Illinois primary election set for Tues., March 19. At 7PM Wed., Feb. 28, the League of Women Voters of Naperville will host a Democratic candidate forum for the two men running for the 11th Congressional District U.S. House seat, expecting both candidates to attend. The FREE event will be presented on Zoom. Individuals interested in viewing the forum can register via the LWV-Naperville website.
5PM to 7PM, Wed., March 6, 2024 / Meet Dr. Kent Mercado, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress Illinois 11th District, during a free event at Giordano’s, 119 S. Main Street, in Naperville. Enjoy a slice of pizza while learning about the candidate. Cash bar.
Expanded Early Voting Opportunity
Update, Feb. 8, 2024 / Expanded Early Voting for DuPage County Residents Only in the March 19 Primary Election / 8AM to 4:30PM Weekdays through March 2, 2024 / On Thurs., Feb. 8, Expanded Early Voting began at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street – Meeting Rooms A&B. (Note: When visited at 4:29PM on the first day of expanded early voting, 16 registered voters had cast their all-paper ballots downstairs in the Municipal Center.) DuPage County voters may be cast early from 9AM to noon on Saturdays, Feb. 10, 17 and 24.
Beginning March 4, additional Early Voting sites will be open daily throughout Naperville in both DuPage and Will Counties with expanded hours until Primary Election Day, Tues., March 19.
Update, Jan. 30, 2024 / This publication aims to have the listing of candidates running to serve Naperville residents in Washington, D.C., Springfield, DuPage County and Will County by February 1, 2024. According to county websites, some candidates for the ballot are still pending. Stay tuned and visit this website again soon. Thanks for your patience.
FYI / Positively Naperville hosts candidate forums only for Municipal Elections (City Council) during Consolidated Elections of local candidates held in the spring every other odd year. The next Consolidated Election is April 2025.
One more thing… / This publication welcomes candidates to submit opportunities to meet and greet them. That list for February 2024 is currently a work in progress. Thanks for reading and for paying attention. Educated voters matter.
Original Post, Jan. 14, 2024 / Here’s hoping all voters in Illinois will be informed by the time to cast ballots in the upcoming elections. First, the 2024 primary election is set for Tues., March 19. The November general election is Tues., Nov. 5. Save the dates.
The primary season officially begins with the Republican Iowa caucuses slated for Jan. 15. Then the Democratic primaries begin with the New Hampshire primary, a time for both parties on Jan. 23.
Here in Illinois, both Democrats and Republicans will be able to cast their ballots in the primary elections on Tues., March 19.
Remember that Naperville is located in both DuPage County and Will County. Early Voting times will be announced soon at locations near all voters and at the Naperville Municipal Center.
Voters hoping to cast their ballot by mail will be able to apply for a mail-in ballot for the upcoming primary election, and are given the option to join the permanent vote-by-mail roster.
Looking ahead, candidates who win their primary will be on the ballot for the November general election. Presidential candidates officially will be nominated at the party conventions this summer.
The Republican National Convention is set for July 15-18, 2024, at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
To date, the Democratic National Convention is scheduled from August 19-22, 2024, at the United Center in Chicago.
Meanwhile, in February this publication will begin showcasing opportunities to meet and greet candidates and/or their supporters. Elections count.
Upcoming Public Forums for Candidates
7PM Tues., Jan. 30 – ZOOM / The League of Women Voters of Naperville virtual candidate forum for Republican candidates running to serve Illinois for the 11th Congressional seat. Republican candidates Jerry Evans, Susan Hathaway-Altman and Kent Mercado are listed as expected to attend. Info: lwvnaperville@gmail.com or lwvnaperville.org/2024/01/04/march-primary-candidate-forums/. FREE but registration is required. Add to Calendar
7PM Wed., Feb. 28 – ZOOM / Note also, Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Foster will face opponent Qasim Rashid in the Illinois primary election set for Tues., March 19. At 7PM Wed., Feb. 28, the League of Women Voters of Naperville will host a Democratic candidate forum for the two men running for the 11th Congressional District U.S. House seat, expecting both candidates to attend. The FREE event will be presented on Zoom. Individuals interested in viewing the forum can register via the LWV-Naperville website.
Last Updated, March 5, 2024
