Jaclyn Smith-Esters: A crash course on coming election; learn about candidates and vote
We are less than two weeks away from the midterm election on Nov. 8. Called mid-terms because it happens in the middle of the presidential term. So that means we will not see President Biden on the ballot, but it is important to note that those who are, will have a major impact on the remainder of his first term.
OK so if you are old enough to remember "School of Rock" then we know that a bill must first pass through Congress before it can go to the president to be signed into law. So, who or what is Congress? There are 535 members of Congress, 435 are in the House of Representatives and 100 (two from each state) serve in the Senate. Why some many in the House of Representatives? Because it is based on population. So, a small state like Vermont only has one Representative and California has 53.
Representatives represent a portion of the state know as a Congressional Districts. Galesburg is in the 17th Congressional District. Currently Representative Cheri Bustos represents us but is not seeing re-election.
So how do the House and Senate differ? In the House, the majority party holds significant power to draft chamber rules and schedule bills to reach the floor for debate in voting. In the Senate, however, the majority has the power to schedule when bills go to the floor for voting, but one Senator could slow legislation from voting. Debate is not over until 60 Senators vote for a closure motion to approve a bill for consideration. The majority must coordinate with the minority to set debating rules. Now you know why these bills take a long time in Congress.
Who is on the ballot? The House of Representatives seat is up for re-election every two years and Senators are very six years at the federal level. At the state level, representatives are every two years and senators are every four years. Illinois, along with 35 other states, will be up for re-election. We will also see the governor, local positions (county), and because we have such a diplomatic government; various initiatives to change local and state policies.
OK, now with this crash course of legislation I hope you can see why it is so important to vote. These Representatives and Senators are elected by you and these individuals determine our laws and policies. It is so important to know the candidates and their views and ideologies before just filling in the circle. One would say it is our civic duties to vote. But I think more importantly it is our way of being present in our community.
If you are a registered voter here are a few things to remember: If you are not sure on a position and the candidate, then you don’t have to choose either and instead leave it blank. The ones you did vote for will still count. If you are voting by mail, you can drop your ballet off in front of City Hall in the designated drop box or your ballet must be postmarked by Nov. 8. Early voting is happening now. Monday through Friday you can go to City Hall and on Saturdays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Nov. 6 you can vote at City Hall 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. And on election day, Nov. 8, you can vote at your polling place (can be find on website) from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Here is the Election Commission website: https://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/government/elected_officials___election_offices/galesburg_elections_commission/index.php
Jaclyn Smith-Esters of Galesburg is on the Galesburg City Council representing Ward 5.
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: A crash course on coming election; learn about candidates and vote
