Gay Vote: Election could have significant impact on LGBT issues
Tue. November 6, 2012 12:04 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Illinois voters head to polls: 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Chicago, IL -
Tuesday's General Election could be the most important election for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in decades, according to Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization.
"We will be seeing whether President Obama, the first sitting president who supports same-sex marriage, wins re-election," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois. "We will be watching the outcome of marriage equality initiatives on the state ballots of Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington. Key legislative races in Illinois involve LGBT-supportive candidates."
Illinois voters will cast ballots for President, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, state legislative offices, judges and varied county and local offices.
A few Illinois races remain tight, including the Congressional races between Tammy Duckworth and Joe Walsh; Bill Foster and Judy Biggert; and Robert Dold and Brad Schneider.
Tuesday's vote could also see the election of four openly gay and lesbian members of the Illinois General Assembly for the first time with the re-election of State Reps. Greg Harris, Deborah Mell and Kelly Cassidy and the election of newcomer Sam Yingling to the House.
Polls will be open on Tuesday from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. with the heaviest period of voting occurring between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Anyone in line by the closing time of 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Gay voters possibly hold key to Obama's reelection bid
According to a Gallup Report survey, the LGBT community's strong support for President Barack Obama could help the president edge out a win. The report found that 71 percent of LGBT Americans who are registered voters support Obama, while 22 percent prefer his GOP rival, Mitt Romney. (Full story)
General Election Guide
For a complete breakdown of races important to the LGBT community, check the Windy City Times General Election Guide.
View a full list of Equality Illinois Political Action Committee endorsed candidates: http://eqilpac.org
Where to vote?
Chicago Board of Elections: http://www.chicagoelections.com
To find your polling place and a sample ballot check these online county resources:
Cook County: http://www.cookcountyclerk.com/elections/voterprofile/Pages/default.aspx
DuPage County: http://dupageelections.com/pages.asp?pageid=228
Kane County: http://www.kanecountyelections.org/VoterInfo/Search.aspx
Lake County: http://countyclerk.lakecountyil.gov/ElectionInfo/Voter-Services/Pages/Voter-Power.aspx
McHenry County: http://mchenry-il.connect.clarityelections.com/
Will County: http://www.thewillcountyclerk.com/connect/site/index.jsp?menuItemId=7
"We will be seeing whether President Obama, the first sitting president who supports same-sex marriage, wins re-election," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois. "We will be watching the outcome of marriage equality initiatives on the state ballots of Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington. Key legislative races in Illinois involve LGBT-supportive candidates."
Illinois voters will cast ballots for President, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, state legislative offices, judges and varied county and local offices.
A few Illinois races remain tight, including the Congressional races between Tammy Duckworth and Joe Walsh; Bill Foster and Judy Biggert; and Robert Dold and Brad Schneider.
Tuesday's vote could also see the election of four openly gay and lesbian members of the Illinois General Assembly for the first time with the re-election of State Reps. Greg Harris, Deborah Mell and Kelly Cassidy and the election of newcomer Sam Yingling to the House.
Polls will be open on Tuesday from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. with the heaviest period of voting occurring between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Anyone in line by the closing time of 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Gay voters possibly hold key to Obama's reelection bid
According to a Gallup Report survey, the LGBT community's strong support for President Barack Obama could help the president edge out a win. The report found that 71 percent of LGBT Americans who are registered voters support Obama, while 22 percent prefer his GOP rival, Mitt Romney. (Full story)
General Election Guide
For a complete breakdown of races important to the LGBT community, check the Windy City Times General Election Guide.
View a full list of Equality Illinois Political Action Committee endorsed candidates: http://eqilpac.org
Where to vote?
Chicago Board of Elections: http://www.chicagoelections.com
To find your polling place and a sample ballot check these online county resources:
Cook County: http://www.cookcountyclerk.com/elections/voterprofile/Pages/default.aspx
DuPage County: http://dupageelections.com/pages.asp?pageid=228
Kane County: http://www.kanecountyelections.org/VoterInfo/Search.aspx
Lake County: http://countyclerk.lakecountyil.gov/ElectionInfo/Voter-Services/Pages/Voter-Power.aspx
McHenry County: http://mchenry-il.connect.clarityelections.com/
Will County: http://www.thewillcountyclerk.com/connect/site/index.jsp?menuItemId=7